JAMES DAVID MCNEALY, APPELLANT,
v.
THE STATE OF FLORIDA, APPELLEE
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James McNealY appeals his conviction for assault with intent to commit murder in the second degree. After appointed appellate counsel was unable to identify any sustainable errors in the record, the court granted counsel's motion to withdraw and gave McNealY 30 days to file his own brief in support of his appeal.
Appointed counsel may withdraw from representation when he has carefully examined the record and is unable to ascertain any sustainable basis for the assignments of error or any other errors that could conscientiously be assigned as grounds for relief. However, the court will not make a sua sponte determination of the appeal's merits but will instead allow the appellant 30 days to file his own brief.
“A lawyer is bound to give his client a candid opinion of the merits and probable result of pending or contemplated litigation. His duty does not include, and his Code of Ethics prohibits, his setting up false claims to enable him to win his client's cause.”
Establishes the ethical duty of counsel to present claims candidly and prohibits pursuing meritless claims
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceMcNealY was convicted of assault with intent to commit murder in the second degree after trial with his chosen counsel. He filed a pro se notice of ap…
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Appellant was informed against, tried, found guilty of assault with intent to commit murder in the second degree and duly sentenced to serve a term of imprisonment in the state prison. In the trial appellant was represented by counsel of his own choice.
Appellant, acting in proper person, filed a notice of appeal from the judgment of conviction. He was adjudged insolvent and, at his request, the public defender was appointed to represent him on this appeal.
After conferring with appellant’s trial counsel and examining the court file, but before the record on appeal was prepared by the clerk, the public defender filed what he considered to be sustainable assignments of error, together with directions to the clerk. The record on appeal was duly prepared and filed, and copies thereof served as required by the rule.
Appellant’s appointed counsel has now presented to this court his petition for an order allowing him to withdraw as attorney of record on this appeal. By his petition counsel alleges that he has now carefully examined the record on appeal and is unable to ascertain any basis which will support the assignment of errors filed by him, or any other errors which could conscientiously be assigned as a predicate for relief. Being unable to detect any basis for this appeal, counsel asks to be relieved from further responsibility or service as counsel for appellant.
A similar factual situation arose in the case of Carr v. State of Florida,1 decided by the Second District Court of Appeal. We fully concur in the learned and erudite opinion authored by Judge Smith in that case, and in which he carefully outlines the obligation of counsel in the proper representation of his client. In permitting appointed counsel to withdraw as attorney for the appellant in that case, the court said:
“A lawyer is bound to give his client a candid opinion of the merits and probable result of pending or contemplated litigation. His duty does not include, and his Code of Ethics prohibits, his setting up false claims to enable him to win his client’s cause. It is unprofessional and dishonorable to deal other than candidly with the facts in the presentation of a cause. Every lawyer must upon his own responsibility decide what causes he will bring to court and he cannot escape it by urging as an excuse that he is only following his client’s instructions. The right of an attorney to withdraw from employment, once assumed, arises only from good cause. When a lawyer discovers that his client has no cause and the client is determined to continue it, the lawyer may be warranted in withdrawing on due notice to the client. Rule B, Ethics Governing Attorneys; *740Section (I), Florida Rules of Court 196S, 31 F.S.A.”
Upon the foregoing authority the motion of counsel in this case to withdraw as attorney for appellant on this appeal is granted. This court will not, however, attempt to make a sua sponte determination of the merits of this appeal. Thirty days from the date on which this opinion is filed will be granted appellant within which to file a brief supporting the assignments of error filed in this cause, or urging any other contentions which he may conceive to be grounds for reversal of the judgment appealed.
RAWLS, C. J, and CARROLL, DONALD K., and JOHNSON, JJ, concur.
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Daniels v. State, 233 So. 2d 405 (Fla. 2d DCA 1970)…ifornia (1967), 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493. . See Anders v. California, id.; and cf. Walker v. State (Fla.App.3d 1969) 220 So. 2d 649; Williams v. State (Fla. App. 1st 1966), 186 So. 2d 824; and McNealy v. State (Fla.App.1st 1966), 183 So. 2d 738.…
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Price v. State, 184 So. 2d 681 (Fla. 1st DCA 1966)…uld be -frivolous. Similar situations have arisen before and where good cause for withdrawal was shown as we think is shown here, the motion to withdraw has been granted. Carr [*682] v. State, Fla.App., 180 So. 2d 381. McNealy v. State, 1st D.C.A., 183 So. 2d 738, filed March 8, 1966. The motion to withdraw is granted, and the appellant is granted thirty days from the date this opinion is filed within which to file his assignments of error and supporting brief. WIGGINTON, Acting C. J., and STURGIS and JOHN…
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Williams v. State, 186 So. 2d 824 (Fla. 1st DCA 1966)…any assignments of error with regard to the trial of this cause would be frivolous and without merit. The Public Defender requests that he be discharged and released as appointed counsel of record on appeal. Upon the authority of McNealy v. State, 183 So. 2d 738 (Fla.App. 1st, 1966), the motion of counsel to withdraw as attorney for appellant on this appeal is granted. This court will not, however, attempt to make a sua sponte determination of the merits of this appeal. Twenty days from the date on which th…
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceAuthorities Cited
- Carr v. State, 180 So. 2d 381 (Fla. 2d DCA 1965)