People v. Fields CA4/2

BACKGROUND

In 2001 Fields pleaded guilty to second degree murder (Pen. Code § 187,

subd. (a))1 and child neglect (§ 273a, subd. (a)). Under the plea deal, Fields was

sentenced to an aggregate term of five years plus a consecutive term of 15 years to life.

In 2024 Fields filed a petition on his own behalf titled “Petition for A.B. 600 on

Writ of Habeas Resentencing Motion,” citing various portions of section 1172.1 but not

requesting any specific relief. The court denied his petition without a hearing, stating in

its minute order that it interpreted the petition as a petition under section 1172.1,

subdivision (c), which had an “improper format.” Fields appealed.

ANALYSIS

On Fields’s request, we appointed counsel to represent him on appeal. Counsel

filed a brief declaring they found no arguably meritorious issues to appeal, setting out a

statement of the case, and asking us to conduct an independent review of the record.

When appealing from a postconviction order a defendant has no constitutional

right to independent review under Anders/Wende.2 (Delgadillo, supra, 14 Cal.5th at

1 Unlabeled statutory citations refer to the Penal Code.

2 Anders v. California (1967) 386…