Cynthia Turner has been licensed to practice law in North Carolina since 2005. She specializes in representing criminal cases and often is appointed by the court to serve as a public defender for criminal defendants. On August 20, 2024, she was appointed to represent Ted Smith. Ted Smith has been charged with killing his wife during a heated argument in their apartment in Raleigh, North Carolina on July 4th. They had attended a family gathering and came back to their apartment when the argument ensued. Neighbors heard the commotion and called the police, however, when the police arrived, the wife had been stabbed. She later died at the hospital because of the injuries she sustained.

Ted Smith worked as a factory worker and does not have the money to hire a private attorney. When he is brought before the court for arraignment, he asks that a public defender be appointed to represent him. The court assigns Cynthia Turner as his attorney on August 20, 2024. Attorney Turner visits Ted at the jail and from the very beginning it was contentious. It seems like Ted wanted a male attorney, as he does not trust females. He let that be known to Attorney Turner, who was offended at the onset, however, she persevered through the initial meeting. Attorney Turner told Ted that she would do some research and revisit him in two days. Unfortunately, she had conflicts with her schedule and was not able to visit Ted until five days later. He was very upset and refused to cooperate or provide any information.

The court hearing is scheduled for September 2, 2024, in a criminal court. Due to Ted’s failure to cooperate, and his comments that he does not want a female attorney., Attorney Turner files a motion to the court to withdraw herself as his attorney. Your job is to examine whether under North Carolina’s statutes/law, she can withdraw and refuse to represent Ted Smith, even though she was appointed by the Court to do so.