A Marsden motion gets its name from the case of People v. Marsden 2 Cal.3d 118 (1970). It is a request to the court by a criminal defendant to discharge their lawyer on the basis of being incompetently or inadequately represented by counsel. A defendant seeking to discharge his appointed counsel and substitute another attorney must establish either (1) that appointed counsel is not providing adequate representation, or (2) that he and counsel have become embroiled in such an irreconcilable conflict that ineffective representation is likely to result.
This form is a generic example that may be referred to when preparing such a form for your particular state. It is for illustrative purposes only. Local laws should be consulted to determine any specific requirements for such a form in a particular jurisdiction.
A Mars den motion, also known as a Hennepin Minnesota Motion to have New Counsel Appointed, is a legal procedure used to request a new defense attorney in a criminal case. This motion allows a defendant to argue that their current counsel is not providing effective representation and that a change is necessary to ensure a fair trial. The Mars den motion is named after the landmark case Mars den v. Superior Court, which established the right of a defendant to request new counsel if they can show a legitimate reason. In Hennepin County, Minnesota, where this motion is commonly used, there are different types of Mars den motions that can be filed: 1. Standard Mars den Motion: This motion is filed when a defendant believes their current attorney is not providing effective representation. Valid reasons for filing a standard Mars den motion can include a breakdown in communication, lack of preparation, conflict of interest, or a failure to investigate and present available evidence. 2. Substantial Hardship Mars den Motion: In some cases, a defendant may seek a new attorney due to substantial hardship caused by their current counsel. This could include instances where the attorney is not available for critical court appearances, consistently fails to communicate with the defendant, or exhibits behavior that undermines the attorney-client relationship. 3. Conflict of Interest Mars den Motion: If a defendant believes that their attorney has a conflict of interest that interferes with their ability to provide effective representation, they can file a conflict of interest Mars den motion. This could arise if the attorney has a personal or professional relationship with the prosecutor, a key witness, or any other party involved in the case that compromises their ability to represent the defendant's interests. It is important to note that Mars den motions are subject to the court's discretion, and not all motions are granted. The judge will consider the defendant's reasons for requesting new counsel, the stage of the trial proceedings, and the potential impact on the trial schedule. The court will also consider the availability of other qualified defense attorneys. In summary, a Hennepin Minnesota Motion to have New Counsel Appointed, or a Mars den motion, is a legal mechanism used to request a new defense attorney in a criminal case. Different types of Mars den motions include the standard Mars den motion, substantial hardship Mars den motion, and conflict of interest Mars den motion. The court will evaluate the merits of the motion and determine if new counsel should be appointed based on the defendant's reasons and available alternatives.A Mars den motion, also known as a Hennepin Minnesota Motion to have New Counsel Appointed, is a legal procedure used to request a new defense attorney in a criminal case. This motion allows a defendant to argue that their current counsel is not providing effective representation and that a change is necessary to ensure a fair trial. The Mars den motion is named after the landmark case Mars den v. Superior Court, which established the right of a defendant to request new counsel if they can show a legitimate reason. In Hennepin County, Minnesota, where this motion is commonly used, there are different types of Mars den motions that can be filed: 1. Standard Mars den Motion: This motion is filed when a defendant believes their current attorney is not providing effective representation. Valid reasons for filing a standard Mars den motion can include a breakdown in communication, lack of preparation, conflict of interest, or a failure to investigate and present available evidence. 2. Substantial Hardship Mars den Motion: In some cases, a defendant may seek a new attorney due to substantial hardship caused by their current counsel. This could include instances where the attorney is not available for critical court appearances, consistently fails to communicate with the defendant, or exhibits behavior that undermines the attorney-client relationship. 3. Conflict of Interest Mars den Motion: If a defendant believes that their attorney has a conflict of interest that interferes with their ability to provide effective representation, they can file a conflict of interest Mars den motion. This could arise if the attorney has a personal or professional relationship with the prosecutor, a key witness, or any other party involved in the case that compromises their ability to represent the defendant's interests. It is important to note that Mars den motions are subject to the court's discretion, and not all motions are granted. The judge will consider the defendant's reasons for requesting new counsel, the stage of the trial proceedings, and the potential impact on the trial schedule. The court will also consider the availability of other qualified defense attorneys. In summary, a Hennepin Minnesota Motion to have New Counsel Appointed, or a Mars den motion, is a legal mechanism used to request a new defense attorney in a criminal case. Different types of Mars den motions include the standard Mars den motion, substantial hardship Mars den motion, and conflict of interest Mars den motion. The court will evaluate the merits of the motion and determine if new counsel should be appointed based on the defendant's reasons and available alternatives.