PEOPLE OF MI V LORENZO HEROLD NELSON
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,
UNPUBLISHED
April 9, 2002
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v
No. 228020
Kent Circuit Court
LC No. 99-009338-FH
LORENZO HEROLD NELSON,
Defendant-Appellant.
Before: K.F. Kelly, P.J. and Doctoroff and Cavanagh, JJ.
MEMORANDUM.
Defendant appeals as of right his jury conviction for breaking and entering with intent to
commit larceny, MCL 750.110, and felonious assault, MCL 750.82. We affirm. This case is
being decided without oral argument pursuant to MCR 7.214(E).
Defendant argues that the trial court abused its discretion in failing to appoint substitute
trial counsel. Appointment of substitute counsel is only warranted upon a showing of good cause
and where substitution will not unreasonably disrupt the judicial process. People v Mack, 190
Mich App 7, 14; 475 NW2d 830 (1991). Good cause exists where a legitimate difference of
opinion develops between a defendant and his appointed counsel with regard to a fundamental
trial tactic. Id.
Here, defendant waived his right to seek substitute counsel. People v Carter, 462 Mich
206; 612 NW2d 144 (2000). Although defendant was displeased with the performance of
counsel prior to trial, he agreed on the record to proceed with trial with the continued
representation of counsel. The trial court was not called upon to exercise its discretion, and it did
not have a duty to sua sponte order a continuance to replace appointed counsel. See People v
Elston, 462 Mich 751, 764; 614 NW2d 595 (2000).
Affirmed.
/s/ Kirsten Frank Kelly
/s/ Martin M. Doctoroff
/s/ Mark J. Cavanagh
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