Opinion ID: 3012514
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Adequacy of Anders Brief

Text: When preparing an Anders brief, counsel must (1) satisfy the court that counsel has thoroughly examined the record in search of appealable issues, and (2) explain why the issues are frivolous. Youla 241 F.3d at 300. The brief need not rehash every possible claim but must meet the standard of conscientious examination laid out in Anders. Id. The Anders brief presented here contains an adequate examination of the possible issues for appeal. The main argument discussed by counsel is that the District Court could have granted the motion to depart downward based on Soto's pre-trial conditions, the possibility of deportation, and family circumstances. Counsel presents a significant amount of case law in support of his contention that the District Court would have to consider these factors in deciding to grant the motion to depart downward. Furthermore, counsel also discusses the adequacy of the plea agreement under Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and explains how the record shows that Soto understood his plea agreement and that any argument challenging his guilty pleas would be frivolous. Although counsel has not covered every issue for appeal conceived by Soto, he has referred to the issues arguably supportable on appeal. Therefore, we conclude that the Anders brief is adequate.