March 13, 2026·7:24-cr-00007-WLS-ALS-1·Per Curiam·By James Taylor
The Eleventh Circuit granted a motion by appointed counsel to withdraw from representing the defendant in a direct criminal appeal. The court affirmed the conviction and sentence after an independent review found no arguable issues of merit.
Joshua Thompson appealed his conviction and sentence in a direct criminal appeal. Charles E. Cox, Jr., appointed counsel, filed a motion to withdraw and an Anders brief asserting that the appeal had no arguable issues of merit.
The court’s reasoning
The court conducted an independent examination of the record to verify counsel’s assessment. The review revealed no arguable issues of merit, satisfying the requirements for granting the motion to withdraw under Anders v. California.
What it means going forward
The defendant’s conviction and sentence stand, and appointed counsel is relieved of further representation in the appeal.
