Dennison adamant about representing self in court
Flathead District Judge Amy Eddy gave a man representing himself in a felony probation revocation hearing on Thursday a second stern warning to seek the advice of an attorney before she makes a determination about whether or not he will go to jail on Dec. 10.
Randall Alan Dennison, 47, admitted in a Nov. 26 hearing that, by consuming alcohol and using drugs, he had broken the conditions of a five-year suspended sentence handed down in 2005 for felony driving under the influence.
Dennison denied being arrested by Billings Police for harassing customers at a business earlier this year, as was alleged by Flathead District Attorney Ed Corrigan.
Prior to the admissions, Dennison was told by Corrigan and Judge Eddy to reconsider his decision to proceed without an attorney.
“Your case is not uncomplicated,” Corrigan told Dennison. “I think you would be well-served to continue this and at least talk to an attorney before you proceed pro se. I think it would be really in your best interest to do so.”
But Dennison was adamant about proceeding alone and not seeking the help of a public defender.
“I’ve had real bad luck with situations like that where they don’t seem willing to stand up and put any effort into it,” Dennison said. “I don’t think it’s nothing I can’t handle. I would just as soon go forward. This ain’t the first time I’ve represented myself in court.”
Eddy advised Dennison of the disadvantages of representing himself.
“Even if you make mistakes, I will be unable to give you special treatment,” Eddy said.
At a disposition hearing Thursday to determine what Dennison’s sentence should be for his revocation, Dennison and Corrigan said they had met in the jail prior to the hearing to discuss a joint recommendation to the court.
Corrigan had proposed sending Dennison to the Montana Department of Corrections for four years, with credit for 488 days served, but Dennison wanted the commitment to be for three years with credit for the 488 days.
Corrigan rejected that plan and said he would seek a full five-year commitment to the Department of Corrections if Dennison did not accept the bargain.
As the courtroom haggling escalated, Eddy appointed public defender Jessica Polan and advised Dennison to take the next week to seriously consider his option to counsel.
“I don’t want you to reject something that is in your best interest,” Eddy said. “I highly encourage you to consult with Ms. Polan between now and the time of your disposition hearing.”
Eddy said she would also research how much credit for time served Dennison is entitled to, after Dennison claimed that he has sent the case to the Montana Supreme Court multiple times and had the court rule in his favor three times.
A search of Montana Supreme Court records shows that Dennison has appealed his DUI conviction as well as revocation of parole for burglary and theft convictions three times, but that he was only successful once, with the help of the state public defender’s office.
In that instance the high court eliminated Dennison’s $27,750 fine for burglary.
Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.