Case Title: Alana Ann Archuleta v. The State of Wyoming

Citation: 2023 WY 81

Docket Number: S-23-0047

State: wyoming

Court: Wyoming Supreme Court

Date: 2023-08-23T00:00:00Z

Document:
IN THE SUPREME COURT, STATE OF WYOMING 2023 WY 81 April Term, A.D. 2023 August 23, 2023 ALANA ANN ARCHULETA, Appellant (Defendant), v. THE STATE OF WYOMING, Appellee (Plaintiff). S-23-0047 ORDER AFFIRMING THE DISTRICT COURT’S ORDER FINDING DEFENDANT NOT GUILTY BY REASON OF MENTAL ILLNESS [¶1] This matter came before the Court upon its own motion following notification that Appellant has not filed a pro se brief within the time allotted by this Court. Appellant filed this appeal to challenge the district court’s January 17, 2023, Order Finding the Defendant Not Guilty by Reason of Mental Illness, Pursuant to W.S. § 7-11-306. [¶2] On May 25, 2023, Appellant’s court-appointed appellate counsel filed a Motion to Withdraw as Counsel, pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 744, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 1400, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967). This Court subsequently entered an Order Granting Motion for Extension of Time to File Pro Se Brief. This Court ordered that, on or before July 20, 2023, Appellant was permitted to file with this Court a pro se brief specifying the issues she would like the Court to consider in this appeal. This Court also provided notice that, after the time for filing a pro se brief expired, this Court would make its ruling on counsel’s motion to withdraw and, if appropriate, make a final decision on this appeal. This Court later extended the time for Appellant to file a brief to August 4, 2023. Appellant did not file a pro se brief or other pleading in the time allotted. [¶3] Now, following a careful review of the record and the Anders brief submitted by appellate counsel, this Court finds that appellate counsel’s motion to withdraw should be granted and the district court’s Order Finding the Defendant Not Guilty by Reason of Mental Illness, Pursuant to W.S. § 7-11-306 should be affirmed. It is, therefore, [¶4] ORDERED that the Wyoming Public Defender’s Office, court-appointed counsel for Appellant Alana Ann Archuleta, is hereby permitted to withdraw as counsel of record for Appellant; and it is further [¶5] ORDERED that the Natrona County District Court’s January 17, 2023, Order Finding the Defendant Not Guilty by Reason of Mental Illness, Pursuant to W.S. § 7-11- 306, be, and the same hereby is, affirmed. [¶6] DATED this 23rd day of August, 2023. BY THE COURT: /s/ KATE M. FOX Chief Justice