Opinion ID: 1704720
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: donald

Text: Donald died in April of 1994, after filing this appeal, but before this decision. Arguing the appeal is moot, the State moves to dismiss Donald's appeal. Donald's attorney resists this motion on the ground that dismissal would violate Donald's due process rights. He argues that Donald has the right to withdraw his guilty plea in order to clear his name and memory. We disagree. This is not a direct appeal from a conviction; the time for such an appeal passed long ago. This is an appeal from an order upon an application for post-conviction relief. We do not give advisory opinions. E.g., Gosbee v. Bendish et al., 512 N.W.2d 450 (N.D.1994). Appeals are dismissed if the issues become moot or academic, such that no actual controversy is left to be determined. Id. In this case, the death of the appellant moots this appeal. [1] Jackson v. State, 559 So.2d 320 (Fla.App.1990); see generally Annotation, Comment NoteWhen Criminal Case Becomes Moot so as to Preclude Review of or Attack on Conviction or Sentence, 9 ALR3d 462, 496-97 (1966 & Supp.) (majority of states hold that death of accused moots appeal); but see State v. Witkowski, 163 Wis.2d 985, 473 N.W.2d 512 (Ct. App.1991) (upholding State v. McDonald, 144 Wis.2d 531, 424 N.W.2d 411 (1988), taking minority position that right to appeal survives death of defendant who dies while pursuing post-conviction relief). We dismiss his appeal.