Pro Se Participation, Substitutions, and Withdrawal of

Counsel. (a) Pro Se Participation. Defendant may represent himself or herself pro se. However, when Defendant is represented by an attorney, Defendant may not act on his or her own behalf in the action, including communicating with the court.

The court may strike any document filed by Defendant on his or her own behalf when Defendant is represented by counsel in the action. The court may only hear from a represented defendant in limited circumstances, such as a motion to withdraw counsel. (b) Substitution and Withdrawal. An attorney who has appeared on behalf of Defendant in a criminal case and thereafter desires to withdraw must provide notice to Defendant and file a motion to withdraw.

To the extent possible, the motion must specify the reasons requiring withdrawal. Until the court enters an order finding that good cause exists and granting leave to withdraw, the attorney shall continue to represent Defendant until the case is dismissed, Defendant is acquitted, or, if convicted, the time for making post-trial motions and for filing notice of appeal, as specified in Fed. R. App. P. 4(b), has expired, and until counsel has satisfied the requirements of Fed. R. App. P. 3.