Conviction tossed in case of man who acted as his own lawyer

FERNDALE – A man who insisted on acting as his own lawyer has persuaded the Michigan appeals court to throw out his conviction — because a judge didn’t fully explain the risk of acting as his own lawyer.

The court said Wednesday there are key steps that must be followed when a defendant wants to go solo. And in the case of Jimmy Aldaoud, Oakland County Judge Daniel O’Brien didn’t explain the length of a possible prison sentence.

Before trial, Aldaoud said he had spent 16 months — “day and night” — studying law books. He was convicted of home invasion and sentenced to at least three years in prison.

Aldaoud admitted taking tools from a Ferndale garage in 2012 but claimed it was a misdemeanor, not a felony.