Court Opinion

ID: 9789439
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 01:36:23.939819+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:37:22.466077
License: Public Domain

Holmes, J.,
dissenting: It has long been the law in Kansas that the right to appeal is purely statutory. If we do not have jurisdiction under proper statutory authority, we cannot create it by stating that we “consider this appeal as if it were a proceeding under K.S.A. 60-1507 and not a direct appeal.” While judicial *680economy and expediency may be justified under certain circumstances, it is no substitute for jurisdiction.
I further dissent from the holding that the plea of nolo contendere was knowingly and voluntarily made. The court felt it was necessary to protect the defendant’s interests by appointing counsel when defendant wanted to waive the right to counsel and proceed pro se. How can it be said that a defendant needs counsel and then allow the defendant to proceed without consulting with the counsel the court found was necessary? I firmly believe that when a defendant is represented by counsel there should never be court proceedings or interrogation without that counsel at least being given the opportunity to be present to safeguard his client’s interests. Anything less is a lack of due process of law.
I would reverse the judgment.