DAVIS, Judge:
¶ 1 Scott C. Wadsworth appeals his convictions of sexual exploitation of a minor, a second degree felony, see Utah Code Ann. § 76-5a-3 (2001) (current version at id. § 76-5b-201 (Supp.2011)); unlawful sexual activity with a minor, a third degree felony, see id. § 76-5-401 (1998) (current version at id. (2008)); and enticing a minor over the internet, a class A misdemeanor, see id. § 76-4-401 (2003) (current version at id. § 76-4-401(2) (2008)).
¶ 2 First, Wadsworth asserts that the trial court violated his right to be represented by counsel of his choice when it denied Warren's motion to withdraw. An attorney's motion to withdraw as counsel prior to the entry of judgment in a criminal case is subject to the approval of the court. See Utah R.Crim. P. 36(a)(1). Nevertheless, a trial court abuses its discretion if its denial of such a motion violates the defendant's constitutional right to counsel. See State v. Scales, 946 P.2d 377, 381 (Utah Ct.App.1997).
¶ 3 "`[A]n element of [the Sixth Amendment right to counsel] is the right of a defendant who does not require appointed counsel to choose who will represent him.'" State v. Barber, 2009 UT App 91, ¶ 41, 206 P.3d 1223 (first alteration in original) (quoting United States v. Gonzalez-Lopez, 548 U.S. 140, 144, 126 S.Ct. 2557, 165 L.Ed.2d 409 (2006)). However, that right is subject to various limitations, including that "counsel must be a member of the bar, must be willing to represent the defendant, and must be free of conflicts or other ethical limitations," and that good cause must be shown when "substitution or appointment of counsel would obstruct the orderly procession of the case." Id. ¶¶ 42-43.
¶ 4 Here, Wadsworth never attempted to substitute any counsel for Warren other than Susanne Gustin-Fergis, who was unwilling and unable to represent him at trial, see generally id. ¶ 42. Given that Wadsworth explicitly stated that he had no desire to represent himself, the trial could not have gone forward as scheduled unless Wadsworth was represented either by Warren or by substitute counsel. See generally State v. Pedockie, 2006 UT 28, ¶¶ 30-39, 137 P.3d 716 (outlining the rigorous process a trial court must engage in to find a non-explicit waiver of the right to counsel). Thus, the proceedings would likely have been delayed if the trial court permitted Warren to withdraw before substitute counsel entered an appearance. Because "`[a] defendant's right to retain counsel of his choice ... may not be insisted upon in a manner that will obstruct an orderly procedure in courts of justice,'"
¶ 5 Nevertheless, Wadsworth now asserts that he would have liked to have had the Legal Defender's Association (LDA) reappointed
¶ 6 Wadsworth also challenges the trial court's denial of his motion to withdraw
¶ 7 In denying Wadsworth's motion to withdraw his pleas, the trial court noted that Wadsworth had nearly three months to find another attorney between the hearing on Warren's motion to withdraw as counsel and the scheduled trial and that Wadsworth never expressed any specific dissatisfaction with Warren to the trial court either at the time Warren moved to withdraw as counsel or at the time of the plea hearing, despite numerous opportunities to do so. The trial court concluded that it was "unwilling to set aside an otherwise voluntary-appearing plea on the basis of unspecific allegations of dissatisfaction with one's lawyer after the plea is taken." Indeed, the record of the proceedings prior to Wadsworth's motion to withdraw his pleas contains nothing to suggest that Wadsworth had lost confidence in Warren's ability to represent him or that he felt forced to continue with Warren either for financial reasons or because he believed the trial court would not allow him time to obtain another attorney. Although Wadsworth had expressed a preference for having Gustin-Furgis represent him, he never indicated to the trial court that he had any specific concern regarding Warren's ability to represent him. Furthermore, he attested in his plea affidavit that his pleas were voluntary and that he was "satisfied with the advice and assistance of [his] attorney." In light of these circumstances, we do not consider the trial court's denial of Wadsworth's motion to withdraw his pleas to have been an abuse of its discretion.
¶ 8 The trial court was also correct in determining that it had strictly complied with rule 11(e). The trial court has the burden of ensuring strict compliance with the Constitution and rule 11(e) of the Utah Rules of Criminal Procedure when a guilty plea is entered. See State v. Visser, 2000 UT 88, ¶ 11, 22 P.3d 1242; State v. Gibbons, 740 P.2d 1309, 1312 (Utah 1987). Strict compliance may be accomplished either by "`questioning... the defendant on the record'" or by use of "a plea affidavit, `after the court has established that the defendant has read, understood, and acknowledged the contents of the statement.'" State v. Corwell, 2005 UT 28, ¶ 12, 114 P.3d 569 (quoting Utah R.Crim. P. 11(e)). Thus, so long as "the record adequately supports the district court's conclusion that the defendant had a conceptual understanding of each of the elements of rule 11(e)," the trial court need not personally discuss every element of rule 11(e) with the
¶ 9 In Wadsworth's plea affidavit, he acknowledged that he understood he was giving up a number of rights by pleading guilty, including the right to compel witnesses in his defense. The trial court asked Warren if he had discussed the affidavit with Wadsworth and if he believed Wadsworth understood the affidavit, to which Warren replied in the affirmative. The trial court then discussed most of the rights addressed in the affidavit with Wadsworth in detail, asking if he understood and desired to waive those rights, but did not specifically discuss with Wadsworth his right to compel witnesses. Finally, the trial court asked Wadsworth, "[Is there a]nything you've read about in the statements in front of you that you do not understand," to which Wadsworth replied, "No, I understand them." Given that the affidavit informed Wadsworth of his right to compel witnesses and that both Wadsworth and his attorney confirmed Wadsworth's understanding of the affidavit, we conclude that the record supports the trial court's determination that Wadsworth had a conceptual understanding of his right to compel witnesses.
¶ 10 Because we determine that the trial court was not required to permit Warren to withdraw before substitute counsel submitted an appearance, we conclude that the trial court did not infringe on Wadsworth's Sixth Amendment right to be represented by counsel of his choice. Furthermore, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by denying Wadsworth's motion to withdraw his guilty pleas. Therefore, we affirm.
¶ 11 WE CONCUR: WILLIAM A. THORNE JR. and STEPHEN L. ROTH, Judges.