Case ID: f-appx_80/html/0274-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "SMITH, Circuit Judge.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

UNITED STATES of America, v. John WILSON, Appellant.
    No. 03-1319.
    United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.
    Submitted pursuant to Third Circuit LAR 34.1(a) on Nov. 6, 2003.
    Decided Nov. 10, 2003.
    
      Edmond Falgowski, Office of United States Attorney, Wilmington, DE, for Appellee.
    John Wilson, pro se, Cumberland, MD, James F. Brose, Media, PA, for Appellant.
    Before: MCKEE, SMITH and GREENBERG, Circuit Judges.
   OPINION OF THE COURT

SMITH, Circuit Judge.

John Wilson pleaded guilty to credit card fraud and possession of false federal identification on July 25, 2002. He was sentenced to thirty three months imprisonment and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $41,286.84. Thereafter, Wilson requested that the District Court dismiss his court-appointed counsel and appoint new counsel to handle his appeal. The District Court granted Wilson’s request and new counsel was appointed to prosecute Wilson’s appeal. After meeting with Wilson and reviewing the record and case-law, Wilson’s counsel moved to withdraw pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967).

In Anders, the Supreme Court stated that the “constitutional requirement of substantial equality and fair process” means that appellate counsel must act as an advocate for the defendant. 386 U.S. at 744. Thus, counsel’s

role as advocate requires that he support his client’s appeal to the best of his ability. Of course, if counsel finds his case to be wholly frivolous, after a conscientious examination of it, he should so advise the court and request permission to withdraw. That request must, however, be accompanied by a brief referring to anything in the record that might arguably support the appeal.

Id. As we explained in United States v. Youla, 241 F.3d 296, 300 (3d Cir.2001), the Anders brief must demonstrate that counsel has “thoroughly examined the record in search of appealable issues,” and it must “explain why the issues are frivolous.” Accordingly, our inquiry is twofold: (1) whether counsel adequately fulfilled the requirements of Anders; and (2) “whether an independent review of the record presents any nonfrivolous issues.” Id. (citing United States v. Marvin, 211 F.3d 778, 780 (3d Cir.2000)); see also Anders, 386 U.S. at 744 (explaining that the court must proceed, “after a full examination of all the proceedings, to decide whether the case is wholly frivolous.”). If review fails to reveal any nonfrivolous issues, the court “may grant counsel’s request to withdraw and dismiss the appeal.” Anders, 386 U.S. at 744.

After considering counsel’s Anders brief, we are satisfied that he thoroughly examined the record for issues of arguable merit and fulfilled the requirements of Anders. Counsel correctly observed that Wilson’s plea of guilty limited the issues he is entitled to challenge on appeal to the District Court’s jurisdiction, the validity of the guilty plea, and the legality of the sentence. United States v. Broce, 488 U.S. 563, 570-75, 109 S.Ct. 757, 102 L.Ed.2d 927 (1989). As Wilson’s counsel noted, there is no basis for disputing the District Court’s jurisdiction.

With respect to the validity of Wilson’s guilty plea, counsel fully satisfied his obligation under Anders. He considered not only whether the guilty plea proceeding complied with the requirements of Boykin v. Alabama, 395 U.S. 238, 89 S.Ct. 1709, 23 L.Ed.2d 274 (1969), but also addressed each of the requirements of Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11.

Wilson’s sentencing was also conscientiously examined by his appellate counsel. We agree that the District Court did not err in calculating either the criminal history score or the amount of the loss. Our review of the record confirms that the District Court had sufficient evidence to support its computation of Wilson’s criminal history score. The amount of the loss was based on a stipulation reached between the parties. To be sure, Wilson expressed some uncertainty at sentencing as to whether he wanted to proceed based on this stipulation. The District Court offered to continue the proceeding and explained what might be the result of such action inasmuch as the stipulation had been reached midway through the government’s investigation into the number of victims and the amount of the loss. Wilson responded that he understood and was “prepared to move forward with sentencing.” Thus, there was sufficient evidence to support the District Court’s calculation of the amount of loss and there is no plain error.

Counsel advised Wilson of his intention to file an Anders brief and that Wilson was entitled to file a pro se brief. In his informal brief, Wilson also challenges the amount of the loss and asserts that the District Court erred by refusing to depart downward based on his psychological history, his health status and his traumatic childhood. As we explained above, there is no merit to Wilson’s argument with respect to the amount of loss set forth in the stipulation. There is also no merit to his argument that the Court’s refusal to depart was plain error. The transcript from the sentencing hearing confirms that the District Judge knew that she had the authority to depart, but chose to sentence him to the low end of the guideline range as she found it was appropriate in light of the offenses he had committed. Accordingly, we lack jurisdiction to review this aspect of Wilson’s sentence. United States v. McQuilkin, 97 F.3d 723, 729 (3d Cir.1996).

In sum, we agree with counsel’s assessment of Wilson’s appeal. Our own independent review of the record fails to reveal any nonfrivolous issues for appeal. Accordingly, we will grant counsel’s motion to withdraw and affirm the judgment of the District Court entered on January 21, 2003. We certify that the issues presented in the appeal lack legal merit and thus do not require the filing of a petition for writ of certiorari with the Supreme Court.3d Cir. LAR 109.2(b). 
      
      . The District Court had jurisdiction pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3231. We exercise appellate jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and 18 U.S.C. § 3742(a).
     
      
      . Counsel’s notice to Wilson is consistent with Local Appellate Rule 109.2(a) of the Third Circuit which provides:
      Where, upon review of the district court record, trial counsel is persuaded that the appeal presents no issue of even arguable merit, trial counsel may file a motion to withdraw and supporting brief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967), which shall be served upon the appellant and the United States. The United States shall file a brief in response. Appellant may also file a brief in response pro se. After all the briefs have been filed, the clerk will refer the case to a merits panel. If the panel agrees that the appeal is without merit, it will grant trial counsel's Anders motion, and dispose of the appeal without appointing new counsel. If the panel finds arguable merit to the appeal, it will discharge counsel, appoint substitute counsel, restore the case to the calendar, and order supplemental briefing.