Court Opinion

ID: 9562792
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 18:33:52.458859+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:17:31.782345
License: Public Domain

HALL, Chief Justice
(dissenting):
I do not share the reasoning of the Court in overturning State v. Brady.1
While the Utah Constitution affords the right of appeal in all cases,2 that right may be effectively waived or abandoned. One who escapes not only abandons his appeal, he also abandons and forsakes the judicial system as a whole. He no longer relies upon it in any respect, and to dismiss his appeal for that reason is neither to be viewed as a forfeiture of a constitutional right nor as a penalty. This is particularly demonstrated by the facts of the instant case wherein Tuttle did not voluntarily return to custody with any excuse or justifi*706cation for his behavior, but in fact remained at large for a considerable length of time. Had he not been tracked down, arrested, and involuntarily returned to custody, he no doubt would have remained at large. Only because of his reincarceration does he again seek relief from the system.
I would not disturb the prior dismissal of the appeal.
HOWE, J., concurs in the dissenting opinion of HALL, C.J.

. Utah, 655 P.2d 1132 (1982).

. Art. I, § 12.