Narrative Opinion Summary
The Court addressed the Appellant's failure to file a pro se brief by the deadline set for the appeal against the December 8, 2016 Judgment and Sentence. The Appellant had entered a no contest plea to six felonies, including second-degree murder and aggravated child abuse, pursuant to a plea agreement. On July 20, 2017, the Appellant’s court-appointed appellate counsel filed a motion to withdraw based on Anders v. California, indicating no meritorious grounds for appeal. The Court granted an extension for the Appellant to submit a pro se brief by September 4, 2017, but the Appellant did not file anything by that date. After reviewing the record and the Anders brief, the Court found the motion to withdraw should be granted. Consequently, the Wyoming Public Defender’s Office was allowed to withdraw as counsel, and the district court's Judgment and Sentence was affirmed. The decision was officially recorded on September 27, 2017, by Chief Justice E. James Burke.
Legal Issues Addressed
Affirmation of Lower Court Judgmentsubscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: The Court affirmed the district court’s Judgment and Sentence after the Appellant failed to provide any basis for appeal.
Reasoning: Consequently, the Wyoming Public Defender’s Office was allowed to withdraw as counsel, and the district court's Judgment and Sentence was affirmed.
Anders Brief Proceduresubscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: The Appellant's court-appointed counsel filed an Anders brief, indicating no meritorious grounds for appeal, and sought to withdraw from representation.
Reasoning: On July 20, 2017, the Appellant’s court-appointed appellate counsel filed a motion to withdraw based on Anders v. California, indicating no meritorious grounds for appeal.
Granting of Counsel Withdrawalsubscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: After reviewing the record and the Anders brief, the Court permitted the withdrawal of the Appellant's counsel and affirmed the lower court's decision.
Reasoning: After reviewing the record and the Anders brief, the Court found the motion to withdraw should be granted.
Pro Se Brief Filing Deadlinesubscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: The Court granted an extension for the Appellant to file a pro se brief, but the Appellant failed to do so by the specified deadline.
Reasoning: The Court granted an extension for the Appellant to submit a pro se brief by September 4, 2017, but the Appellant did not file anything by that date.