Opinion
2019–10281 Ind. No. 1212/18
04-14-2021
The PEOPLE, etc., respondent, v. Lee HOLLEY, appellant.
Jeffrey Scaggs, White Plains, NY, for appellant. Miriam E. Rocah, District Attorney, White Plains, N.Y. (Raffaelina Gianfrancesco of counsel), for respondent (no brief filed).
Jeffrey Scaggs, White Plains, NY, for appellant.
Miriam E. Rocah, District Attorney, White Plains, N.Y. (Raffaelina Gianfrancesco of counsel), for respondent (no brief filed).
REINALDO E. RIVERA, J.P., SYLVIA O. HINDS–RADIX, FRANCESCA E. CONNOLLY, ANGELA G. IANNACCI, JJ.
DECISION & ORDER ON MOTION
Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the County Court, Westchester County (Barry E. Warhit, J.), rendered July 18, 2019, convicting him of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, upon his plea of guilty, and imposing sentence. Assigned counsel has submitted a brief in accordance with Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493, in which he moves for leave to withdraw as counsel for the appellant.
ORDERED that the motion of Jeffrey Scaggs for leave to withdraw as counsel for the appellant is granted, and he is directed to turn over all papers in his possession to new counsel assigned herein; and it is further,
ORDERED that Thomas R. Villecco, 366 North Broadway, Suite 410, Jericho, NY, 11753, is assigned as counsel to perfect the appeal; and it is further,
ORDERED that the respondent is directed to furnish a copy of the certified transcript of the proceedings to the new assigned counsel; and it is further,
ORDERED that new counsel shall serve and file a brief on behalf of the appellant within 90 days of the date of this decision and order on motion, and the respondent shall serve and file its brief within 30 days after the brief on behalf of the appellant is served and filed. By prior decision and order on motion of this Court dated December 16, 2019, the appellant was granted leave to prosecute the appeal as a poor person, with the appeal to be heard on the original papers (including a certified transcript of the proceedings) and on the briefs of the parties. The parties are directed to file one original and five duplicate hard copies, and one digital copy, of their respective briefs, and to serve one hard copy on each other (see 22 NYCRR 1250.9 [a][4]; [c][1]).
The brief submitted by the appellant's counsel pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 is deficient because it fails to analyze potential appellate issues or highlight facts in the record that might arguably support the appeal (see People v. Polk, 161 A.D.3d 1012, 1012–1013, 73 N.Y.S.3d 755 ; People v. Deprosperis, 126 A.D.3d 997, 998, 7 N.Y.S.3d 194 ; Matter of Giovanni S. [Jasmin A.], 89 A.D.3d 252, 256, 931 N.Y.S.2d 676 ). The brief states in a conclusory fashion that no nonfrivolous issues exist and fails to identify and assess the efficacy of any significant objections, applications, or motions, and fails to identify any potential nonfrivolous issues for appeal (see Matter of Giovanni S. [Jasmin A.], 89 A.D.3d at 258, 931 N.Y.S.2d 676 ). Since the brief does not demonstrate that assigned counsel fulfilled his obligations under Anders, we must assign new counsel to represent the appellant (see People v. Rivera, 142 A.D.3d 512, 513, 35 N.Y.S.3d 722 ; People v. Parker, 135 A.D.3d 966, 968, 23 N.Y.S.3d 393 ; Matter of Giovanni S. [Jasmin A.], 89 A.D.3d at 258, 931 N.Y.S.2d 676 ).
RIVERA, J.P., HINDS–RADIX, CONNOLLY and IANNACCI, JJ., concur.