J-S47038-23

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT O.P. 65.37

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

v.

CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL WHITEMAN 

Appellant

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 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF

 PENNSYLVANIA

 No. 1838 EDA 2023

Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered June 15, 2023

In the Court of Common Pleas of Wayne County Criminal Division at 

No(s): CP-64-CR-0000240-2022

BEFORE: STABILE, J., KUNSELMAN, J., and STEVENS, P.J.E.*

MEMORANDUM BY STEVENS, P.J.E.: FILED JANUARY 24, 2024

Appellant, Christopher Michael Whiteman, appeals from the judgment 

of sentence imposed after he pleaded guilty to DUI Controlled Substance -

Impaired Ability (“DUI”),

1 Possession of a Controlled Substance, namely, 

heroin,

2 and Driving While Operating Privilege Suspended/Revoked.3

 Herein, 

he challenges the discretionary aspects of his sentence. Additionally, his 

counsel seeks to withdraw from representation and has filed a brief pursuant 

to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 38 (1967) and Commonwealth v. 

Santiago, 978 A.2d 349 (Pa. 2009). Upon review, we grant counsel’s petition 

and affirm judgment of sentence.

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* Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.

1 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 3802(d)(2).

2 35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(16).

3 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 1543(a).
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The relevant facts and procedural history follow. At approximately 2:00 

p.m. on March 28, 2022, Sergeant Donald Thacher of the Honesdale Borough 

Police Department responded to a dispatch regarding a vehicle parked on a 

street in such a way that it blocked a private driveway. Affidavit of Probable 

Cause, 5/17/22, at 1. At the scene, the sergeant found the vehicle located as 

described, and he observed Appellant asleep in the driver’s seat with the 

engine running and hazard lights flashing. Id. Once awakened, Appellant 

exhibited slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and an implausible explanation for 

his presence at a location with which he had no apparent connection. Id. 

The sergeant obtained Appellant’s information and ran it through JNET, 

which revealed that Appellant’s driver’s license was under DUI-related 

suspension and that he was wanted for several AOPC warrants issued by a 

local district judge. Id. A personal search of Appellant disclosed several small 

glassine packets—some empty, some containing a white powdery substance—

which, in the sergeant’s experience, were often used to package heroin. Id.

Based on the totality of the sergeant’s observations, he asked for and 

received Appellant’s permission to perform a field sobriety test, which 

suggested Appellant may be under the influence of a controlled substance. 

Id. Appellant agreed to submit to a blood draw performed at a nearby facility, 

and the results indicated the presence of fentanyl, methamphetamine, THC, 

and Gabapentin. Id. at 1-2.
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On September 23, 2022, Appellant was charged with the above-listed 

offenses as well as with possession of drug paraphernalia4 and illegal parking 

in front of a public/private driveway.5 On May 4, 2023, Appellant entered a 

counseled, non-negotiated guilty plea to the charges of DUI, possession of a 

controlled substance (heroin), and driving while his operating privileges were 

suspended, as noted supra. 

At Appellant’s June 15, 2023, sentencing hearing, the trial court 

acknowledged that it reviewed Appellant’s presentence investigation report,

and it received defense counsel’s recitation of mitigating circumstances, which 

included the following:

DEFENSE COUNSEL: Mr. Whiteman is thirty-six years of age. He’s 

married with five children. He does have his GED. He agreed with 

the official version. All of his problems come from addiction, Your 

Honor. He does have a solid work record as a laborer with the 

same company for the last six years. He’s done very well while he 

is in jail. He’s taking advantage of everything they had to offer 

there in terms of AA meetings, parenting classes, anger 

management classes and bible study, which is a great indication 

that he is trying, Your Honor. He’s had no infractions while he’s 

been in the Wayne County Jail. He has a very supportive family., 

His mother visits him weekly. His father calls him weekly, and he 

speaks to his children every week from the jail. He was very 

cooperative with probation.

N.T., 6/15/23, at 4-5. Appellant, likewise, addressed the trial court briefly, 

stating, “Yes, that, um, I know I made mistakes, and I’m trying to make 

everything right now. And I’m sorry.” N.T. at 5.

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4 35 P.S. 780-113(a)(32).

5 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 3353(a)(2)(i).
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The trial court imposed an aggregate sentence of 18 months to 72 

months’ incarceration, which comprised standard guideline range sentences

of not less than 12 months nor more than 60 months on Count 1 (DUI), and 

of not less than six months nor more than 12 months on Count 2 (Simple 

Possession-Heroin), to run consecutively to Count 1, along with a mandatory 

minimum fine of $200 on Count 4 (Driving while Operating Privileges 

Suspended/Revoked). The court provided the following reason for its 

sentence:

TRIAL COURT: Thank you, Mr. Whiteman, I did review the 

presentence report prepared for me by the probation department. 

What the [trial court] cannot avoid is your history. When you 

come before the [trial court] for sentencing, every individual that’s 

before me has to be taken into consideration. Not just who they 

are, who their relationships are, where they live, education, but 

significantly their criminal history. That’s what puts you up in the 

sentencing recommendations and guidelines. You have nine prior 

convictions. The DUI in 2019. Some significantly serious burglary 

charges in ’07. 

I did note that you were full time employed before jail with a very 

good work history as well as what your attorney brought to light 

which was your compliance in the Wayne County Correctional 

Facility. But I think the most glaring issue in your history and the 

information provided in the report is where your attorney started, 

which is addiction. It focuses on a very young age and a 

progression from alcohol, prescription medication, marijuana, 

cocaine and the end result methamphetamine, which apparently 

was being used on a daily basis prior to either this charge or 

incarceration.

It was noted in the report that you did apply to the drug and 

treatment court; however, you refused what was requested of 

you, which was in-patient. And then again when you’ve been 

evaluated now in jail, in-patient is still the recommendation. 

There’s a serious addiction issue. You’re only thirty-six years old. 

There’s a lot of life left to live, but if you don’t take your drug 
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addiction seriously, this just continues to happen. It’s a revolving 

door when drugs remain in the picture. I do feel a state drug

treatment program would benefit you significantly because I think 

you are someone who is certainly committed to doing the right 

thing when given the opportunity. You’ve done so in jail. You’ve 

done so with your work. I’m hopeful that you’ll take advantage of 

that program to the highest extent because it does provide the 

best way for you to maintain recovery once released.

N.T. at 5-7.

Appellant filed a timely motion for reconsideration of sentence, which 

the trial court denied on June 27, 2023. This timely appeal followed. 

The trial court ordered Appellant to file a concise statement of errors 

complained of on appeal pursuant to P.R.A.P. 1925(a) on July 15, 2023, and 

Appellant complied timely, raising six related issues implicating the 

discretionary aspects of his sentence.6 On August 15, 2023, the trial court 

issued a responsive Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) opinion, which is incorporated in the 

certified record.

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6 Our review has revealed that counsel for Appellant failed to attach a copy of 

the concise statement to the Anders brief as required by our appellate rules. 

See Pa.R.A.P. 2111(d). Nevertheless, for the following reasons, we refrain 

from taking any action other than reminding counsel of the obligation set forth 

in Rule 2111(d). Counsel's omission is not a jurisdictional defect, and the 

appellate rules give this Court discretion to forego corrective action where 

briefing defects are minor. See Pa.R.A.P. 2101. In addition, our examination 

of the certified record confirms that counsel filed the concise statement in 

accordance with the trial court's order, counsel's omission has not hampered 

our review, and the Commonwealth has not objected to the defect. Finally, 

we note that because counsel has filed an Anders brief and requested leave 

to withdraw, we have an independent obligation to review all appellate

submissions to ascertain whether any non-frivolous issues are present. 

Accordingly, we find further corrective action is unnecessary.
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On appeal, counsel files an Anders brief and an accompanying 

application to withdraw as counsel. The Anders brief raises the following 

claim:

Whether the lower court abused its discretion by imposing a 

sentence which was manifestly unreasonable based upon the 

factors reviewed by the court and that the court failed to properly 

and fully consider all mitigating evidence and reports consistent 

with the application of the requirements of the Sentencing Code?

Anders Brief at 5.

Before reviewing the merits of this appeal, this Court must first 

determine whether appointed counsel has fulfilled the necessary procedural 

requirements for withdrawing as counsel. Commonwealth v. Miller, 715 

A.2d 1203, 1207 (Pa. Super. 1998).

To withdraw under Anders, court-appointed counsel must satisfy 

certain technical requirements. First, counsel must “petition the court for 

leave to withdraw stating that, after making a conscientious examination of 

the record, counsel has determined that the appeal would be frivolous.” 

Miller, 715 A.2d at 1207. Second, counsel must file an Anders brief, in which 

counsel:

(1) provide[s] a summary of the procedural history and facts, with 

citations to the record; (2) refer[s] to anything in the record that 

counsel believes arguably supports the appeal; (3) set[s] forth 

counsel's conclusion that the appeal is frivolous; and (4) state[s] 

counsel's reasons for concluding that the appeal is frivolous. 

Counsel should articulate the relevant facts of record, controlling 

case law, and/or statutes on point that have led to the conclusion 

that the appeal is frivolous.
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Santiago, 978 A.2d at 361. Finally, counsel must furnish a copy of the 

Anders brief to the defendant and advise the defendant “of [the defendant’s] 

right to retain new counsel, proceed pro se, or raise any additional points [the 

defendant] deems worthy of this Court's attention.” Commonwealth v. 

Edwards, 906 A.2d 1225, 1227 (Pa. Super. 2006) (citation omitted).

If counsel meets the above obligations, it is then this Court's 

responsibility “to conduct a simple review of the record to ascertain if there 

appear on its face to be arguably meritorious issues that counsel, intentionally 

or not, missed or misstated.” Commonwealth v. Dempster, 187 A.3d 266, 

272 (Pa. Super. 2018); see also Commonwealth v. Yorgey, 188 A.3d 1190, 

1197 (Pa. Super. 2018) (en banc) (holding that the Anders procedure 

requires this Court to review “the entire record with consideration first of the 

issues raised by counsel. ... [T]his review does not require this Court to act as 

counsel or otherwise advocate on behalf of a party. Rather, it requires us only 

to conduct a review of the record to ascertain if[,] on its face, there are nonfrivolous issues that counsel, intentionally or not, missed or misstated. We 

need not analyze those issues of arguable merit; just identify them, deny the 

motion to withdraw, and order counsel to analyze them.”). It is only when all 

of the procedural and substantive requirements are satisfied that counsel will 

be permitted to withdraw.

Here, counsel has complied with the above procedural obligations, and

Appellant has not responded. We must, therefore, review the record and 
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analyze whether this appeal is, in fact, wholly frivolous. Our review begins 

with the claim Appellant raises in his brief.

The Anders brief challenges the discretionary aspect of Appellant’s 

sentence. Pursuant to statute, a discretionary sentencing challenge does not 

entitle an appellant to “review as of right.” See 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9781(b); 

Commonwealth v. Caldwell, 117 A.3d 763, 768 (Pa. Super. 2015) (en 

banc). Instead, Appellant must petition this Court for permission to appeal 

the discretionary aspects of his sentence. Caldwell, supra. As this Court 

has explained:

To reach the merits of a discretionary sentencing issue, we 

conduct a four-part analysis to determine: (1) whether appellant 

has filed a timely notice of appeal, Pa.R.A.P. 902, 903; (2) 

whether the issue was properly preserved at sentencing or in a 

motion to reconsider and modify sentence, Pa.R.Crim.P. [708]; 

(3) whether appellant's brief has a fatal defect, Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f); 

and (4) whether there is a substantial question that the sentence 

appealed from is not appropriate under the Sentencing Code, 42 

[Pa.C.S.A.] § 9781(b). 

Commonwealth v. Cook, 941 A.2d 7, 11 (Pa. Super. 2007).

Counsel filed a timely notice of appeal and preserved the discretionary

aspects of sentencing claim in a post-sentence motion for reconsideration of 

sentence. Although the Anders brief does not include the requisite Pa.R.A.P. 

2119(f) statement, the Commonwealth’s brief does not object to the omission. 

Because the absence of the statement does not hamper our review, we decline 

to find waiver on this basis. See Commonwealth v. Gould, 912 A.2d 869, 

872 (Pa. Super. 2006) (“[I]n the absence of any objection from the 
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Commonwealth, we are empowered to review claims that otherwise fail to 

comply with Rule 2119(f).”) (citation omitted). We turn, then, to whether

there has been raised a substantial question that the sentence appealed from 

is not appropriate under the Sentencing Code.

“The determination of whether a particular case raises a substantial 

question is to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Generally, however, in 

order to establish that there is a substantial question, the appellant must show 

actions by the sentencing court inconsistent with the Sentencing Code or 

contrary to the fundamental norms underlying the sentencing process.” 

Commonwealth v. Marts, 889 A.2d 608, 612 (Pa. Super. 2005) (internal 

citations omitted). 

“[W]here a sentence is within the standard range of the guidelines, 

Pennsylvania law views the sentence as appropriate under the Sentencing 

Code.” Commonwealth v. Moury, 992 A.2d 162, 171 (Pa. Super. 2010). 

“[W]here the trial court is informed by a presentence investigation report, it 

is presumed that the court is aware of all appropriate sentencing factors and 

considerations, and that where the court has been so informed, its discretion 

should not be disturbed.” Edwards, 194 A.3d at 637 (citation omitted). “The 

sentencing judge can satisfy the requirement that reasons for imposing 

sentence be placed on the record by indicating that he or she has been 

informed by the presentence investigation report; thus properly considering 

and weighing all relevant factors.” Id. (citation omitted).
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 Moreover, we have recognized “the imposition of consecutive, rather 

than concurrent, sentences may raise a substantial question in only the most 

extreme circumstances, such as where the aggregate sentence is unduly 

harsh, considering the nature of the crimes and the length of imprisonment.” 

Commonwealth v. Lamonda, 52 A.3d 365, 372 (Pa. Super. 2012) (en 

banc).

Finally, it is well-settled that the determination of whether a substantial 

question exists must be done prior to—and be divorced from—the 

determination of the potential merits of an issue. Commonwealth v. 

Tuladziecki, 522 A.2d 17, 19 (Pa. 1987). If it were otherwise, a challenger 

would “in effect obtain [ ] an appeal as of right from the discretionary aspects 

of a sentence”—a result that would violate statutory law. Id.

Here, Appellant has not raised a substantial question that his sentence 

is inappropriate under the Sentencing Code or contrary to the fundamental 

norms of the sentencing process. In sentencing Appellant, the trial court was 

required to “consider the general principles and standards of the Sentencing 

Code.” Commonwealth v. Russell, 460 A.2d 316, 322 (Pa. Super. 1983). 

Section 9721 of the Sentencing Code expresses these general principles in the 

following manner:

the sentence imposed should call for confinement that is 

consistent with the protection of the public, the gravity of the 

offense as it relates to the impact on the life of the victim and on 

the community, and the rehabilitative needs of the defendant.

42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9721(b). 
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At Appellant’s sentencing hearing, the trial court stated on the record 

that it had reviewed Appellant's presentence investigation report. N.T., 

6/15/23, at 4, 5-7. Thus, under relevant authority discussed supra, we 

presume the trial court weighed all appropriate sentencing factors. 

Furthermore, the trial court acknowledged that Appellant’s prior criminal 

history elevated his guideline ranges, and it engaged in an extensive review 

of Appellant's ongoing, serious addiction issues, observing not only that 

Appellant had not rectified such issues but also that they were increasing in 

severity and that Appellant had refused in-patient drug treatment previously 

requested of him. N.T. at 6-7. The trial court opined, therefore, that 

Appellant’s rehabilitative needs warranted the imposition of a state sentence 

to allow Appellant to avail himself of the state drug treatment programs. N.T. 

at 6-7. 

This record shows that the trial court considered the general principles 

and standards of the Sentencing Code and applied them in imposing an 

aggregate sentence of 18 to 72 months’ incarceration that is neither extreme 

nor unduly lengthy. Under such circumstances, Appellant's claim does not 

raise a substantial question that the sentence imposed was inappropriate 

under the Sentencing Code. Accordingly, we do not reach the merits of 

Appellant's claim.

Finally, after an independent review of the entire record, we discern

nothing that arguably could support this appeal. See Commonwealth v. 

Vilsaint, 893 A.2d 753, 758 n.6 (Pa. Super. 2006) (“The filing of the Anders
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brief triggers the duty of our Court to conduct an independent review of the 

entire record to make sure counsel has fully represented his client's 

interest.”). Because the appeal is, therefore, wholly frivolous, we affirm 

Appellant's judgment of sentence and grant counsel's petition for leave to 

withdraw appearance.

Petition for leave to withdraw as counsel granted. Judgment of sentence 

affirmed.

Date: 1/24/2024