April 29, 2026·25-11130·Per Curiam·By James Taylor
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.
Juan Manuel Diaz-Ortiz appealed a conviction from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Appointed counsel filed a motion to withdraw and submitted a brief stating the appeal lacked nonfrivolous issues.
The court’s reasoning
The court reviewed the attorney’s brief and the relevant portions of the record. The judges concurred with counsel’s assessment that the appeal presented no nonfrivolous issue for appellate review.
What it means going forward
The defendant’s appeal is terminated, and the appointed attorney is relieved of further responsibilities in the case.