Court Opinion

ID: 9399092
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-06-01 20:10:18.290691+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:19:38.787119
License: Public Domain

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
                                MIDDLE DISTRICT

 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA                     : No. 24 MM 2023
                                                  :
                                                  :
               v.                                 :
                                                  :
                                                  :
 TERRY LEE FORTSON JR.                            :
                                                  :
                                                  :
 PETITION OF: ASHLEY E. SMITH,                    :
 ESQUIRE                                          :

                                         ORDER

PER CURIAM

       AND NOW, this 1st day of June, 2023, upon consideration of the Application for

Leave to Withdraw as Counsel, this matter is REMANDED to the Court of Common Pleas

of Juniata County to determine whether to grant Attorney Ashley E. Smith leave to

withdraw. In the event the court permits Attorney Smith to withdraw, the court is to resolve

any other related questions, including whether to appoint new counsel or to permit Terry

Lee Fortson Jr. to proceed pro se.

       The Court of Common Pleas of Juniata County is DIRECTED to enter its order on

remand within 90 days and to promptly notify this Court of its determination.

       Attorney Smith is reminded that counsel’s duty of representation continues through

allocatur review and precludes counsel from withdrawing absent leave of court. See

Pa.R.Crim.P. 120 and 122.