People v. Kevin S.

I. INTRODUCTION

Kevin S., a minor, appeals from the juvenile court’s January 27, 2003, orders that he remain a ward of the court pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code 1 section 602, subdivision (a), and placing him in a camp program for a period not to exceed three years eight months. Counsel appointed by us to represent the minor on appeal filed a brief in which no issues were raised. (People v. Wende (1979) 25 Cal.3d 436, 441-442 [ 158 Cal.Rptr. 839 , 600 P.2d 1071 ] (Wende); see Smith v. Robbins (2000) 528 U.S. 259, 264 [ 145 L.Ed.2d 756 , 120 S.Ct. 746 ] (Smith).) On August 21, 2003, we advised the minor he had 30 days within which to submit by brief or letter any grounds of appeal, contentions, or argument he wished this court to consider. No response was received.

We asked the parties to brief two questions. First, we requested briefing as to whether Wende—outlining procedures designed to protect an indigent adult criminal defendant’s Fourteenth Amendment right to appointed counsel on appeal—applies to an appeal in a juvenile delinquency matter. Second, we requested briefing as to whether the juvenile court correctly calculated the minor’s predisposition…