Title: Lopez v. State

State: delaware

Issuer: Delaware Supreme Court

Document:

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE 
 
ALEM LOPEZ, 
 
Defendant Below, 
Appellant, 
 
v. 
 
STATE OF DELAWARE, 
 
Plaintiff Below, 
Appellee.
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No. 307, 2006 
 
Court Below: Superior Court  
of the State of Delaware  
in and for New Castle County 
 
Cr. ID No. 0404018958
 
 
 
 
 
Submitted: July 6, 2006 
 
 
 
 
   Decided: August 9, 2006 
 
Before BERGER, JACOBS and RIDGELY, Justices. 
 
O R D E R 
 
 
This 9th day of August 2006, it appears to the Court that: 
 
1) 
On June 16, 2006, the defendant-appellant, Alem Lopez, filed a 
pro se notice of appeal from the Superior Court’s May 22, 2006 order denying 
Lopez’ request that his current counsel be dismissed and new counsel 
appointed. 
 
2) 
On June 21, 2006, the Clerk of this Court issued a notice, pursuant 
to Supreme Court 29(b), directing Lopez to show cause why his appeal should 
not be dismissed based on this Court's lack of jurisdiction to entertain a 
criminal interlocutory appeal.  On July 6, 2006, Lopez filed a response to the 
 
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notice to show cause.  In his response, Lopez asks the Court to overlook its lack 
of jurisdiction in the interest of justice.   
3) 
The Superior Court’s May 22, 2006 order constitutes an 
interlocutory ruling in this criminal matter.1  Under the Delaware Constitution, 
this Court may review only a final judgment in a criminal case.2  As a result, 
this Court does not have jurisdiction to review the Superior Court’s 
interlocutory ruling in this case.3    
 
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 
29(b), that this appeal is DISMISSED. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BY THE COURT: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Jack B. Jacobs 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Justice 
 
                                                           
1See Robinson v. State, 704 A.2d 269, 271 (Del. 1998). 
2Del. Const. art. IV, § 11(1)(b).   
3See Gottlieb v. State, 697 A.2d 400 (Del. 1997); Rash v. State, 318 A.2d 603 (Del. 
1974).