Villarreal v. Texas · ¶70

The trial judge's order did not violate Villarreal's right to counsel under our precedents. In Geders v. United States, 425 U. S. 80 (1976), this Court held that a trial judge cannot bar a testifying defendant from conferring with counsel overnight because of his interest in discussing matters “other than his own testimony.” Id., at 88. In Perry v. Leeke, 488 U. S. 272 (1989), this Court held that a trial judge can bar a testifying defendant from conferring with counsel during a 15-minute recess. Id., at 274, 283–284. Whatever right a defendant has to discuss other matters, the Court held, he has no “right to discuss [his] testimony while it is in process.” Id., at 284. The trial judge's order prohibiting discussion of Villarreal's ongoing testimony plainly complied with both precedents.

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