Under CPL 180.10, if a defendant chooses to proceed without counsel for a felony complaint arraignment, has the defendant waived the right to an attorney in further proceedings?

• A. No, he has not waived
• B. Yes, he has waived
• C. Cannot be determined
• D. Only for the arraignment

Answer: (A)

The right to counsel is a continuing protection, and a waiver at one stage does not erase it for later stages. Under CPL 180.10, a defendant may proceed without counsel at the felony complaint arraignment if the waiver is knowingly and intelligently made and the court confirms it. That waiver applies to the arraignment itself, not to all future proceedings. Later stages—such as further hearings or trial—still require the right to counsel to be honored. If the defendant cannot afford an attorney, or if the court determines that representation is necessary, counsel can be appointed or the defendant can request counsel at those later proceedings. So, choosing to proceed without counsel at arraignment does not constitute a blanket waiver of the right to an attorney in subsequent proceedings.