But the United States Supreme Court has ruled that defendants can represent themselves as long as they are mentally competent.

In practice, however, defendants represent themselves without outside counsel.

Sharia courts traditionally do not rely on lawyers; plaintiffs and defendants represent themselves.

The defendants represented themselves in court, assisted by 1st year law student Kalvin P. Chapman (King's College London).

The defendants are representing themselves.

A criminal defendant may represent himself, unless a court deems the defendant to be incompetent to waive the right to counsel.

But for some black residents, the 20-year-old defendant also represents something else: society's unequal treatment of blacks and whites.

In 1982, the indictment said, the defendants falsely represented that Tube-Line was qualified to sell nuclear-quality parts.

And when Mr. Ferguson was convicted after a protracted and sometimes ludicrous trial - the defendant represented himself - the widow revealed a dignified determination.

It would not be the first time that a non-English-speaking defendant represented himself in court.