People v. Fordley CA4/1

DISCUSSION

Appointed appellate counsel has filed a brief summarizing the facts and

proceedings below. He presented no argument for reversal, but asked this court to

review the record for error as mandated by People v. Wende (1979) 25 Cal.3d 436.

Under Anders v. California (1967) 386 U.S. 738, he listed as possible but not arguable

issues, whether (1) his notice of appeal should be liberally construed as to render his

challenges to his plea and judgment, as detailed in his letter to the court, cognizable on

appeal, (2) if so, was his waiver of his constitutional rights voluntary and knowing,

(3) did the court abuse its discretion in ordering a stipulated amount in victim

2 restitution, and (4) are his plea, sentence or restitution orders invalid as a result of

ineffective assistance of counsel.

Fordley filed a letter brief claiming (1) his attorney did things he did not want

her to do, including speaking to the codefendant and breaking attorney-client

confidentiality, (2) he was under duress and on medications when the court accepted

his guilty plea, and (3) the district attorney was biased against him and lied. Fordley

does not support his contentions with any…