Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ca5-15-20002/USCOURTS-ca5-15-20002-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Octavius Paul Smith
Appellant
United States of America
Appellee

Document Text:

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

No. 15-20002

Summary Calendar

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff-Appellee

v.

OCTAVIUS PAUL SMITH,

Defendant-Appellant

Appeal from the United States District Court

for the Southern District of Texas

USDC No. 4:12-CR-88-3

Before HIGGINBOTHAM, ELROD, and SOUTHWICK, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:*

The attorney appointed to represent Octavius Paul Smith on appeal has 

filed a motion to withdraw and a brief that relies on Anders v. California, 386 

U.S. 738 (1967). Smith has not filed a response.

The “fugitive disentitlement doctrine” is an equitable doctrine that “limits 

a criminal defendant’s access to the judicial system whose authority he 

evades.” Bagwell v. Dretke, 376 F.3d 408, 410-13 (5th Cir. 2004) (internal 

 

* Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not 

be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH 

CIR. R. 47.5.4.

United States Court of Appeals

Fifth Circuit

FILED

February 19, 2016

Lyle W. Cayce

Clerk

 Case: 15-20002 Document: 00513388497 Page: 1 Date Filed: 02/19/2016
No. 15-20002

2

citation omitted). Smith failed to report to begin serving his sentence on 

January 2, 2015, and has not returned to custody since he became a fugitive. 

It is unlikely that Smith will return, under his own volition or otherwise, in 

the foreseeable future. Under the circumstances, dismissal of Smith’s appeal 

is appropriate. Dismissal of the appeal is further supported by enforceability 

concerns, serves an important deterrent function, and “advances an interest in 

efficient, dignified appellate practice.” Ortega-Rodriguez v. United States, 507 

U.S. 234, 240-42 (1993); Bagwell, 376 F.3d at 410-13.

Accordingly, the appeal is DISMISSED. Counsel’s motion to withdraw 

is DENIED as moot.

 Case: 15-20002 Document: 00513388497 Page: 2 Date Filed: 02/19/2016