Opinion ID: 1753745
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Failure to File Direct Appeal

Text: [6] Barnes alleges that his trial counsel failed to file a direct appeal after Barnes requested that he do so. 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. State v. Caddy, 262 Neb. 38, 628 N.W.2d 251 (2001); State v. Hess, 261 Neb. 368, 622 N.W.2d 891 (2001); State v. Trotter, 259 Neb. 212, 609 N.W.2d 33 (2000). In his deposition received at the postconviction hearing, Barnes testified that after sentencing, he discussed filing an appeal with his attorney. According to Barnes, his attorney advised him that an appeal was not likely to be successful, but Barnes informed the attorney that I would like to do it anyway. Trial counsel's deposition was also admitted as an exhibit at the postconviction hearing. Trial counsel testified that he discussed the merits of an appeal with Barnes both before the plea was entered and after the sentence was imposed. Counsel testified that Barnes did not ask him to file an appeal. The district court determined that Barnes failed to establish that he directed his attorney to file an appeal. We find no clear error in this factual finding and affirm the district court's denial of postconviction relief on this ground.