Final answer:
The court must inform a defendant of their right to a public defender, the right to be informed of the charges, and the obligation to make them aware of the risks of self-representation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The court must inform the defendant about several rights regarding self-representation. This includes their right to a public defender, especially if they are facing serious charges and cannot afford an attorney, as established by precedents like the Scottsboro case and the landmark ruling in Gideon's Trumpet. The Sixth Amendment ensures that defendants are informed of the nature and cause of the accusations, have the right to confront witnesses, and are entitled to compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in their favor. If an individual chooses to represent themselves, the court often must make them aware of the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation.