Title: Detriawn R. Wade v. State of Arkansas
Citation: N/A
Docket Number: CR07-615
State: Arkansas
Issuer: Arkansas Supreme Court
Date: September 13, 2007

ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT No. CR 07-615 DETRIAWN R. WADE Petitioner v. STATE OF ARKANSAS Respondent Opinion Delivered September 13, 2007 PRO SE MOTION FOR RULE ON CLERK [CIRCUIT COURT OF CRITTENDEN COUNTY, CR 2000- 668, HON. DAVID N. LASER, JUDGE] MOTION GRANTED. PER CURIAM An order entered in Crittenden County Circuit Court on January 17, 2007, reflects that petitioner Detriawn R. Wade was found guilty of third-degree carnal abuse by the court and sentenced to seventy-two months’ imprisonment in the Arkansas Department of Correction. The order further reflects that the commitment resulted from revocation of petitioner’s probation. On February 2, 2007, petitioner filed a pro se notice of appeal. The public defender who had represented petitioner at trial, Mr. Brian Williams, tendered the record to the Arkansas Court of Appeals, but the record was not lodged because it was not tendered within the time period required by Ark. R. App. P.--Civ. 5(a), as applied through Ark. R. App. P.--Crim. 4(a). Petitioner has filed the pro se motion for rule on clerk now before us, in which he requests this court to direct our clerk to lodge the record and permit his appeal to proceed. In McDonald v. State, 356 Ark. 106, 146 S.W.3d 883 (2004), this court clarified its treatment of motions for rule on the clerk and motions for belated appeal. We said that there are only two -2- possible reasons for an appeal not to be timely, either the party or attorney filing the appeal is at fault or there is good reason. Id. at 116, 146 S.W.3d 891. If the party believes there is good reason the appeal was not perfected, the case for good reason can be made in the motion, and this court will decide whether good reason is present. Id. When it is plain from the motion, any affidavits, and record that relief is proper under our rule based upon attorney error or good reason, the relief will be granted. Id. at 117, 146 S.W.3d 892. If there is attorney error, a copy of the opinion will be forwarded to the Committee on Professional Conduct. Id. Under Ark. R. App. P.–Crim.16(a), once an attorney represents a defendant in a matter of postconviction relief, the attorney is obligated to continue representing the defendant until relieved by the appropriate court. See Hammon v. State, 347 Ark. 267, 65 S.W.3d 853 (2002). The partial record before us does not indicate Mr. Williams was permitted to withdraw as counsel, nor is there any order dismissing the appeal or otherwise relieving Mr. Williams of his obligation to perfect an appeal. Rule 16 of the Arkansas Rules of Appellate Procedure–Criminal provides that trial counsel, whether retained or court-appointed, shall continue to represent a convicted defendant throughout any appeal unless permitted by the trial court or the appellate court to withdraw in the interest of justice or for other sufficient cause. Id. Mr. Williams was obligated to timely lodge the record in the appellate court and continue in his representation of petitioner. See Rogers v. State, 353 Ark. 359, 107 S.W.3d 166 (2003) (per curiam). It is well settled that under no circumstances may an attorney who has not been relieved by the court abandon an appeal. Id. at 361, 107 S.W.3d at 167. The fact that Mr. Williams did not timely lodge the record clearly indicates that he has failed in his duty to petitioner to perfect the appeal. See id.; Gooden v. State, 344 Ark. 291, 40 S.W.3d 271 (2001) (per curiam). The record here clearly indicates that Mr. Williams was aware that petitioner -3- wished to appeal. Petitioner filed a timely pro se notice of appeal, and Mr. Williams was notified of that notice of appeal. See Bumgardner v. State, 367 Ark. 531, ___ S.W.3d ___ (2006) (per curiam). Moreover, Mr. Williams ordered the record and tendered it to the court of appeals, albeit not in a timely fashion. Where the attorney filing the appeal is at fault, fault should be admitted by affidavit filed with a motion under Ark. Sup. Ct. R. 2-2 or in the motion itself. Id. There is no advantage in declining to admit fault where fault exists. Id. Although Mr. Williams did not file the motion before us and he has not admitted fault, it is clear from the record that he is at fault. Accordingly, we grant the motion. Mr. Williams remains responsible for representing petitioner on appeal and our clerk is directed to lodge the record. As the motion is granted based upon attorney error, a copy of this opinion will be forwarded to the Committee on Professional Conduct. Motion granted.