The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a motion by appointed counsel to withdraw from representing the defendant. The court dismissed the appeal after finding no nonfrivolous issues for appellate review.
The defendant, Carlos Sanchez Varela, appealed a conviction from the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. Appointed counsel moved to withdraw and filed a brief stating the appeal presented no nonfrivolous issues.
The court’s reasoning
The court reviewed counsel’s brief and the relevant portions of the record. It concurred with counsel’s assessment that the appeal presents no nonfrivolous issue for appellate review.
The dissent
What it means going forward
The appeal is dismissed, and the appointed attorney is excused from further duties in the case.
