Opinion ID: 780951
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Relief From Representation

Text: 10 Under the doctrine set forth in Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967), court-appointed appellate counsel may move to be relieved from his or her duties if counsel is convinced, after conscientious investigation, that the appeal is frivolous. Id. at 741, 87 S.Ct. 1396. In support of the motion, defense counsel must supply a brief identifying by record references any issues that have at least arguable merit supported by legal authority, and explain why they are frivolous. See United States v. Burnett, 989 F.2d 100, 103 (2d Cir.1993). This Court will not grant a so-called Anders motion unless it is satisfied that (1) counsel has diligently searched the record for any arguably meritorious issue in support of his client's appeal, and (2) defense counsel's declaration that the appeal would be frivolous is, in fact, legally correct. Id. at 104. Defense counsel is also obligated to furnish the client with a copy of the brief defense counsel submits in support of the Anders motion, see Anders, 386 U.S. at 744, 87 S.Ct. 1396, and a letter informing the client that he or she has the right to file a pro se brief. See Burnett, 989 F.2d at 103. 11 Counsel has submitted an affidavit stating that she has provided defendant with the required documents and notifications. She further states that she mailed Arrous a copy of her motion, a copy of the Anders brief, a letter in French and English advising Arrous of his rights with respect to the motion, and a form to be returned to the clerk of this Court indicating whether or not he intends to file pro se papers. Counsel advises us that Arrous has not responded to this mailing, but we are satisfied that counsel's duty to inform Arrous of the Anders proceedings is fulfilled. 12 We also are satisfied that counsel has reviewed the record and brought to our attention the relevant issue. In her Anders brief, attorney Cassidy states that the only possible issue on appeal is whether the district court's modification of Arrous' sentence eliminating the restitution order was improper because it was conducted while Arrous was not present. We agree that this is the only viable issue which Arrous' appeal might raise. We must now decide whether this issue is truly frivolous, thereby warranting counsel's release from representation. We turn now to that analysis.