The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a motion to withdraw filed by appointed counsel. The court dismissed the appeal after finding no non-frivolous issues for review.
The defendant, Nicholas Washington, appealed a conviction from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Appointed counsel moved to withdraw, filing a brief pursuant to Anders v. California and United States v. Flores, stating the appeal presented no non-frivolous issues. The defendant did not file a response.
The court’s reasoning
The court reviewed the attorney’s brief and relevant portions of the record. It concurred with counsel’s assessment that the appeal presented no non-frivolous issue for appellate review.
What it means going forward
The dismissal ends the appellate proceedings, and the appointed attorney is relieved of further duties in the case.