Opinion ID: 2043995
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: alleged failure to file direct appeal

Text: [10, 11] Amaya contends that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to file a direct appeal in response to his request that he do so. Under certain circumstances, the nature of counsel's deficient conduct in the context of the prior proceedings can lead to a presumption of prejudice, negating the defendant's need to offer evidence of actual prejudice in a post-conviction case. [9] After a trial, conviction, and sentencing, if counsel deficiently fails to file or perfect an appeal after being so directed by the criminal defendant, prejudice will be presumed and counsel will be deemed ineffective, thus entitling the defendant to postconviction relief. [10] [12] Assuming without deciding that the same principle would apply where conviction is the result of a guilty or no contest plea, the critical question of fact is whether Amaya directed his counsel to file a direct appeal on his behalf. After reviewing the evidence received at the postconviction hearing, the district court concluded that he did not. As noted above, the final letter which counsel sent to Amaya specifically requested that Amaya notify him if he wished to file an appeal. After receiving conflicting evidence, the district court found that counsel never heard again from Amaya and that Amaya's statements to the contrary were not credible. Based upon our review of the record, we conclude these findings are not clearly erroneous.