The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a motion by appointed counsel to withdraw from representing Mario Pena-Llanas. The court dismissed the consolidated appeals after finding no nonfrivolous issues for review.
Background
Mario Pena-Llanas appealed convictions from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The Federal Public Defender appointed to represent him moved for leave to withdraw and filed a brief in accordance with Anders v. California and United States v. Flores.
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 consolidated appeals present no nonfrivolous issue for appellate review.
What it means going forward
Appointed counsel is excused from further responsibilities, and the appeals are dismissed without a decision on the merits.
