Opinion ID: 901102
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: compliance with korth

Text: [¶ 6.] Korth requires that certain items be included in Section A of a brief filed pursuant to the procedures established in that case: a statement of the case and facts encompassing those facts sufficient to present any claim or claims of error asserted by the client in Section B of the brief; a description of any significant motions filed in the case and the trial court's disposition of the motions; a statement that the case is being submitted pursuant to Korth and that counsel has thoroughly reviewed the record and discussed the case with trial counsel and the client; a statement that counsel has not identified any arguably meritorious issue on appeal; and, counsel's signature. Korth, 2002 SD 101 at n. 6, 650 N.W.2d at 535-536. [¶ 7.] Bousum's brief fulfills some, but not all of these requirements. Specifically, the brief does not contain statements that counsel has thoroughly reviewed the record, that counsel has discussed the case with Bousum, [1] and that counsel has not identified any arguably meritorious issues on appeal. [¶ 8.] Contributing to some confusion here is counsel's presentation and briefing of a substantive issue in Section A of his brief. This Court did suggest in Korth that counsel might argue issues of possible merit in Section A. See Korth, 2002 SD 101, ¶ 17, 650 N.W.2d at 536 (Court refers to Balfour procedure of including a `Section A' (issues the attorney believes are meritorious)). Further review of the Oregon procedures in State v. Balfour, 311 Or. 434, 814 P.2d 1069 (1991) that this Court adopted in Korth reflects that this suggestion was incorrect. See State v. Arabie, 2003 SD 57, ¶ 11, 663 N.W.2d 250. See also Balfour, 814 P.2d at 1080 (Section A ... shall contain no assignments of error or argument). [¶ 9.] Based upon the foregoing, Section A of Bousum's brief does not meet the requirements of Korth, nor does Section B of the brief. Section B of [a] brief [filed under Korth ] shall contain any claim of error requested by the client and shall be signed by the client. Section B shall attempt to state the claim and any argument in support of the claim as nearly as practicable in the manner that the client seeks, in proper appellate brief form. Korth, 2002 SD 101 at n. 6, 650 N.W.2d at 536 (emphasis added)(quoting Oregon Rule of Appellate Procedure 5.90(1)(b)). Section B of Bousum's brief is not signed by Bousum. The signature is a necessary part of Section B and counsel is required to obtain it. Id. [¶ 10.] Normally, failure to comply with the technical requirements of Korth would result in an order by this Court directing counsel to submit an amended brief conforming to Korth. However, our review of the briefs and record in this case reveals that there are arguably meritorious issues in this case. Our identification of arguably meritorious issues in a case submitted pursuant to Korth would usually require granting additional time for supplemental briefing on those issues. See Korth, 2002 SD 101 at n. 6, 650 N.W.2d at 535-36 (quoting Oregon Rule of Appellate Procedure 5.90(3)). However, we find that the present briefs are complete and supported by adequate authorities to warrant our consideration of the merits of these issues at this time. Therefore, we decline to order supplemental briefing and proceed to consider the merits of the substantive issues presented.