Case Name: UNITED STATES of America, v. Robert NEGRON, Appellant
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2003-09-11
Citations: 75 F. App'x 83
Docket Number: No. 01-3789
Parties: UNITED STATES of America, v. Robert NEGRON, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 75
Pages: 83–86

Head Matter:
UNITED STATES of America, v. Robert NEGRON, Appellant.
No. 01-3789.
United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.
Submitted Under Third Circuit LAR 34.1(a) July 3, 2003.
Decided Sept. 11, 2003.
George S. Leone, Sabrina G. Comizzoli, Office of United States Attorney, Newark, NJ, for Appellee.
Robert Negron, pro se, Fairton, NJ, Philip J. Moran, Skillman, NJ, for Appellant.
Before SCIRICA, Chief Judge, BARRY and BECKER, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
OPINION OF THE COURT
BECKER, Circuit Judge.
Robert Negron has appealed from a judgment in a criminal case pursuant to his bargained for plea of guilty to a charge of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) and (2). Negron's counsel, Philip J. Moran, has filed a brief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967), accompanied by a "Motion of Request to be Relieved as Counsel," and by a certification in support of the motion and of the Anders brief, containing 36 paragraphs and concluding that there are no non-frivolous issues for appeal. The brief refers to those portions of the record that might arguably support an appeal and to the relevant law. The affidavit goes into detail as to every aspect of the case, both the guilt and sentencing phase.
As a general rule, the entry of a guilty plea constitutes a waiver of virtually all possible claims for appellate relief except (1) a claim that the court lacked jurisdiction to accept the plea; (2) a claim that the plea is invalid, according to applicable constitutional and statutory standards; and (3) a claim that the sentence is illegal. See United States v. Broce, 488 U.S. 563, 109 S.Ct. 757, 102 L.Ed.2d 927 (1989), Tollett v. Henderson, 411 U.S. 258, 93 S.Ct. 1602, 36 L.Ed.2d 235 (1973). Since a guilty plea constitutes an admission that the defendant committed the charged crimes, any claim that is inconsistent with an admission of guilt generally is waived by the plea. See Broce, 488 U.S. at 570-75, 109 S.Ct. 757. The guilty plea colloquy conducted by the District Court was extensive and in conformity with the requisites of Rule 11(c) of the Fed.R.Crim.P. We need not describe the colloquy in detail. Suffice it to say that each of the requirements of Rule 11(c) were amply covered, including establishing the factual basis for the plea. Counsel's certification, which sets forth his independent investigation, confirms the factual basis. He also confirms his review of the presentence report and states that there is no basis for objection to the calculation of the base offense level or application of the upward adjustment because the weapon was defaced. (A serial number was obliterated.) He also represents that he finds no basis for additional downward adjustments (additional to three levels for acceptance of responsibility).
Inter alia, Mr. Moran's certification states:
31. Finally I have attempted to sit and look at the entirety of Robert Negron's situation and my involvement. Mindful that I need argue every non-frivolous issue, even those that appear unsupported by current law or reasonable analogy.
32. I have reviewed again Anders requirements, and have found solace in Justice Stewart's decent [sic] and note the inherently "quixotic" nature of the undertaking. In truth, in this case, I believe requiring a brief to be the logical equivalent of ordering me to balance an egg on its edge.
33. In addition to analyzing each segment or discernable part of this process, I have also attempted to take each Constitutional Amendment that might offer some solace to a defendant, and try to find an arguable basis there for appeal. I have considered the Second Amendment, I have considered the Fourth Amendment, I have considered the Fifth Amendment, I have considered the Sixth Amendment and I have considered the broadest implications of the Fourteenth Amendment but I have found nothing upon which Mr. Negron's hat might rest.
34. I have examined the underlying statute and compared its required elements to the facts offered at the time of the plea. I have examined the Statute in terms of its constitutional foundation. I am aware of the prior decision of this Court in United States v. Singletary, 268 F.3d 196 (3d Cir.2001). This is a controlling precedent. Notwithstanding that, I find an arguable discordance with my reading of the decision in United States v. Lopez, 514 U.S. 549, 115 S.Ct. 1624, 131 L.Ed.2d 626 (1995), United States v. Morrison, 529 U.S. 598, 120 S.Ct. 1740, 146 L.Ed.2d 658 (2000), and Jones v. United States, 529 U.S. 848, 120 S.Ct. 1904, 146 L.Ed.2d 902 (2000). However, my research shows that although at least 9 other Courts of Appeals have considered this issue, none has found this statute unconstitutional. I have nevertheless briefly, briefed this issue.
35. I recognize that this Court wants a Brief. Heretofore, I believed that any good attorney could surely always find something to argue about in every case. Here, however, I am defeated.
Pursuant to these comments, Mr. Moran's brief seeks to establish a basis for constitutional challenge to § 922(g). His efforts fail, particularly in light of our decision in United States v. Singletary, 268 F.3d 196 (3d Cir.2001).
In United States v. Marvin, 211 F.3d 778 (3d Cir.2000) we reconfirmed the duty of counsel filing Anders briefs to attempt to uncover the best arguments for his or her client, and to explain the faults in possible arguments. We have examined the scant record in this case, but find nothing that would require counsel to do more than he has already. He fairly rep resents that the Rule 11 colloquy passes muster. The sentence was not flawed. The statute of conviction is constitutional. The case is essentially straightforward and there do not appear to be any other issues that might be the subject of possible appeal. Accordingly, the judgment of the District Court will be affirmed. We deny Mr. Negron's motion for the appointment of new counsel. We grant Mr. Moran's motion to withdraw.
. While Mr. Moran was dilatory in fulfilling his Anders obligations, and it took some effort by the Court to get him to complete them, he ultimately did so. Mr. Moran's dilatoriness does not affect the outcome of the case. We also note our view that, because the issues presented in the appeal lack legal merit, they do not require the filing of a petition for writ of certiorari with the Supreme Court.3d Cir. LAR 109.2(b)(2000).