Criminal defendants have a Sixth Amendment right to counsel and that right is guaranteed regardless of the defendant's ability to pay. The Sixth Amendment's right to effective assistance attaches directly to the fidelity and competence of defense counsel's services.A lawyer who does the bare minimum is not providing effective representation. Minimal due process is not good enough. You can make a motion for ineffective assistance of counsel during your trial if you feel that your lawyer is not performing their duties. These standards address the qualifications required for appointment as Lead Counsel at trial, Second Chair at trial, and Appellate counsel. Tell the magistrate you want to request a courtappointed lawyer, and ask to fill out a written application for appointment of counsel. Texas law requires that local courts provide people with assistance in completing their applications for appointed counsel. A defendant who represents himself cannot thereafter complain that the quality of his defense denied him effective assistance of counsel. 422 U.S. at 834–35 n.