Opinion ID: 2038810
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Failure to Perfect Appeal

Text: In order to establish a right to postconviction relief based on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, the defendant has the burden first to show that counsel's performance was deficient; that is, counsel's performance did not equal that of a lawyer with ordinary training and skill in criminal law in the area. State v. Hess, 261 Neb. 368, 622 N.W.2d 891 (2001). Next, the defendant must show that counsel's deficient performance prejudiced the defense in his or her case. Id. At the evidentiary hearing, conflicting evidence was presented with regard to whether counsel or Perry was to blame for the failure to file a poverty affidavit by the May 5, 1994, deadline for perfecting Perry's direct appeal. The result of this failure was that Perry's appeal was dismissed by the Court of Appeals. See State v. Perry, 3 Neb.App. xxiii (No. A-94-457, Aug. 8, 1994). The district court found that Perry's counsel was not negligent on or about April 28 through May 6, 1994, and that Perry was responsible for not providing the poverty affidavit needed to perfect his direct appeal. A defendant requesting postconviction relief must establish the basis for such relief, and the findings of the district court will not be disturbed unless they are clearly erroneous. State v. McDermott, 267 Neb. 761, 677 N.W.2d 156 (2004). In order to obtain a new direct appeal as postconviction relief, the defendant must show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the defendant was denied his or her right to appeal due to the negligence or incompetence of counsel, and through no fault of his or her own. State v. Curtright, 262 Neb. 975, 637 N.W.2d 599 (2002); State v. Hess, supra . Thus, it was Perry's burden to show that he was denied his right to appeal due to the negligence or incompetence of counsel and through no fault of Perry's own. We conclude that the district court was not clearly erroneous in finding that counsel was not negligent and that Perry was responsible for not providing the poverty affidavit required to perfect his appeal. Perry has failed to prove that his counsel's performance was deficient, and his claim of ineffective assistance of counsel in failing to perfect his direct appeal is without merit.