Opinion ID: 1393876
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Jackson v. State

Text: The third and final motion to withdraw was filed in the case of Jackson v. State, CR 00-1383. Michael Jackson was convicted of First Degree Battery and sentenced to 240 months in the Arkansas Department of Correction. Following a timely appeal, the Arkansas Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction. Jackson v. State, CA CR 99-325 (Ark.App. November 3, 1999). Mr. Jackson filed a Rule 37 petition pro se. The circuit court appointed Daniel G. Ritchey to represent Mr. Jackson in the Rule 37 proceeding. The court held a hearing and denied Mr. Jackson's petition. Mr. Ritchey filed a notice of appeal at Mr. Jackson's request and, subsequently, filed a motion to withdraw in this court. In his motion, Mr. Ritchey asks, in the alternative, for authority to proceed with the appeal as court-appointed counsel. He further petitions for a writ of certiorari to complete the record. In the event alternative relief is granted, he requests a waiver of the requirement that an affidavit of indigency be filed in order to proceed in forma pauperis or an extension of time for filing the affidavit due to Mr. Jackson's incarceration. In addition, Mr. Ritchey requests an extension of time to file the record. As previously stated, there is no constitutional right to an appointed attorney in state postconviction proceedings. However, Mr. Ritchey filed a notice of appeal on Mr. Jackson's behalf and is obligated to continue to represent Mr. Jackson under Rule 16 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure-Criminal unless this court relieves him as counsel. In his Supplemental Motion to Withdraw as Attorney-of-Record, Mr. Ritchey states that he has received no compensation for court-appointed representation of Mr. Jackson to date and has no means to obtain compensation for representation from Mr. Jackson on his postconviction proceeding. Counsel asserts that he should not be required to continue to represent Mr. Jackson without compensation. Mr. Ritchey makes three additional requests on behalf of Mr. Jackson: (1) motion to waive the requirement that an affidavit of indigency be filed in order to proceed in forma pauperis or, in the alternative, motion for an extension of time to file such an affidavit;(2) petition for a writ of certiorari to complete the record; and (3) motion for an extension of time to file the record. We note first that the notice of appeal in this case was filed on September 19, 2000, and Mr. Ritchey tendered a partial record certified by the clerk of the trial court on November 28, 2000. Because the time for lodging a properly certified record had not expired at the time Mr. Ritchey tendered the partial record in this case, we direct the clerk to file said record. See Ark. R.App. P.-Civ. 5. We now appoint Mr. Ritchey to continue his representation of Mr. Jackson as court-appointed counsel. Pursuant to Act 169 of 2001, Mr. Ritchey will be entitled to compensation from this court for his services on appeal. We grant the motion for extension of time to file an affidavit of indigency, which affidavit must be filed in this court on or before February 18, 2002. Upon the filing of such affidavit, we direct the clerk to issue a writ of certiorari to the circuit clerk and court reporter to complete the record within thirty days of the issuance of the writ. Likewise, we grant an extension of time to file the complete record. The deadline for filing the complete record shall be no later than thirty days after the issuance of the writ of certiorari. Mr. Ritchey, as the attorney-of-record, is hereby directed to proceed accordingly. Motion to withdraw as attorney-of-record denied in CR 00-1259; Motion to withdraw as attorney-of-record granted and appointment of new counsel granted in CR 00-1275; In CR 00-1383, motion to withdraw as attorney-of-record denied, motion to proceed as court-appointed counsel granted, motion for extension of time to file affidavit of indigency granted, petition for writ of certiorari to complete record granted upon timely filing of affidavit of indigency, and motion for extension of time to file the record granted.