Defendant Michael Taylor Proposes New Legal Precedence For Competency Proceedings in Criminal Cases (GA1111-32-01)
**Proposed Legal Precedent: "Due Process requires effective representation, and effective representation requires the upholding of the constitutional rights of all defendants (People v. Michael Taylor)"** ### **I. Introduction** The constitutional right to effective assistance of counsel is foundational to the American criminal justice system, particularly under the **Sixth Amendment**, which guarantees a defendant’s right to counsel who advocates for their rights. This right becomes paramount in the context of competency proceedings, where a defendant’s fundamental freedoms are at stake. **Due process**, similarly, ensures that a defendant’s rights are upheld throughout the criminal process. However, effective representation can sometimes be impeded by structural challenges, particularly the **excessive caseloads** facing **public defenders**. In this context, the need to uphold the **Sixth Amendment** and **due process** rights of defendants through effective re...