Case ID: f-appx_1/html/0110-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Jesse Daniel ROBARDS, Defendant-Appellant.
    No. 00-7103.
    United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit.
    Submitted Dec. 15, 2000.
    Decided Jan. 4, 2001.
    Jesse Daniel Robards, pro se. Banuma-thi Rangarajan, Assistant United States Attorney, Raleigh, NC, for appellee.
    Before MOTZ and KING, Circuit Judges, and HAMILTON, Senior Circuit Judge.
   OPINION

PER CURIAM.

Jessie D. Robards appeals from the dismissal of his 28 U.S.C.A. § 2255 (West Supp.2000) motion, attacking on numerous grounds his conviction for violating 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3). For the following reasons, we vacate and remand for further proceedings.

Regarding Robards’ claim that his counsel was ineffective for failing to file a notice of appeal following his sentencing, the district found that Robards failed to show prejudice, citing Hill v. Lockhart, 474 U.S. 52, 59, 106 S.Ct. 366, 88 L.Ed.2d 203 (1985), as authority for this position. This finding was erroneous, however, under this court’s decision in United States v. Peak, 992 F.2d 39, 42 (4th Cir.1993). In Peak, we held that counsel’s failure to pursue an appeal requested by a defendant constitutes ineffective assistance of counsel regardless of the likelihood of success on the merits. Id. Thus, if counsel promises to note an appeal and then fails to do so, petitioner is entitled to relief in the form of a belated appeal. Id; see also Roe v. Flores-Ortega, 528 U.S. 470, 120 S.Ct. 1029,145 L.Ed.2d 985 (2000).

Accordingly, we grant a certificate of appealability and vacate the district court’s order and remand for compliance with this opinion and Peak. We decline to address any other claims on appeal. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

VACATED AND REMANDED.