Case ID: so2d_610/html/0789-04.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "ORTIQUE, Justice,", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

STATE of Louisiana v. Derolodi BICKHAM.
    No. 92-KK-3307.
    Supreme Court of Louisiana.
    Jan. 8, 1993.
   In re Bickham, Derolodi; — Defendant^); applying for supervisory and/or remedial writs; Parish of Washington, 22nd Judicial District Court, Div. “E”, No. 46,475; to the Court of Appeal, First Circuit, No. KW92 1383.

Granted. The trial court may require that costs be paid in advance, except in indigent cases. La.Code Crim.P. art. 914.-1(C). Case remanded to the trial court to allow relator an additional twenty days from the date of this order to either pay costs or file an affidavit of indigency into record. If relator fails to do so, his appeal should be dismissed.

ORTIQUE, J., concurs with reasons.

WATSON, J., not on panel.

ORTIQUE, Justice,

concurring with reasons.

The trial court should ensure defendant fully appreciates that to preserve his right of appeal he must either pay the cost of preparing the transcript or file an affidavit of indigency in lieu of payment. Prior to dismissing defendant’s appeal, the trial court must establish on the record that defendant has made an informed choice to forego paying the costs of preparing the transcript or filing the affidavit, and that he understands the consequences of his actions. This responsibility cannot be discharged by questioning defendant’s counsel.

While it is commendable that counsel seeks to establish the principle that a criminal defendant has an “absolute right” to an appeal, including entitlement to a transcript of the record, there is always the possibility, however remote, that no court will agree with counsel. The young defendant in the instant case should be fully apprised of this possibility.