The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit dismissed an appeal filed by Demartin Hall after reviewing a motion by his appointed counsel to withdraw. The court found no nonfrivolous issues for appellate review and granted the attorney's request to be excused from further responsibilities.
Demartin Hall appealed a criminal conviction from the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. His appointed attorney filed a motion to withdraw and submitted a brief in accordance with Anders v. California and United States v. Flores, asserting that the appeal presented no nonfrivolous issues. Hall did not file a response to the motion.
The court’s reasoning
The court reviewed the attorney’s brief and the relevant portions of the record. It concurred with the assessment that the appeal presented no nonfrivolous issue for appellate review. Consequently, the court granted the motion to withdraw and dismissed the appeal.
What it means going forward
The dismissal terminates the appellate proceedings, leaving the district court’s judgment in place. Appointed counsel is relieved of further duties in the case.
