DUANE ISAAC WALKER, APPELLANT,
v.
THE STATE OF FLORIDA, APPELLEE
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The court held that the defendant has not shown good cause to justify further pro se filings related to his criminal sentencing and ordered the clerk to refuse such filings unless reviewed and signed by an attorney.
Following a prior opinion denying an appeal and issuing an order to show cause, the defendant failed to timely respond. The court considered the defen…
The full statement of facts, procedural history, and disposition for this case are member content.
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On April 22, 2015, this Court issued an opinion denying Duane Isaac Walker’s appeal from an Order Denying Defendant’s Motion to Correct Sentence. Our opinion contained an order to show cause why Walker should not be prohibited from filing with this Court any further pro se appeals, petitions, motions, or other proceedings related to his criminal sentencing in circuit court ease number 97-28661.
Walker did not timely file a response to our April 22, 2015 order. Accordingly, we conclude that Walker has not demonstrated good cause to justify further pro se filings of appeals, petitions, motions, or other proceedings with this Court.
We must balance Walker’s pro se right of access to courts with the Court’s need to devote its finite resources to legitimate appeals. State v. Spencer, 751 So.2d 47, 48 (Fla.1999) (“[Djenying a pro se litigant the opportunity to file future petitions is a serious sanction, especially where the litigant is a criminal defendant ... ”). Accordingly, after an order to show cause and an opportunity to answer, a court may prevent such further filings. Id.
It is hereby ordered that the Clerk of the Court of the Third District Court of Appeal shall refuse to accept further pro se filings related to case number 97-28661; provided, however, that filings related to case number 97-28661 may be accepted by the Clerk if such filings have been reviewed and signed by an attorney who is a licensed member of the Florida Bar in good standing.
Any further and unauthorized pro se filings by Walker will subject him to sanctions, including the issuance of written findings forwarded to the Florida Department of Corrections for consideration by it for disciplinary action, pursuant to section 944.279(1) of the Florida Statutes.
Order issued.