People v. James CA3

DISCUSSION

Appointed counsel for defendant filed an opening brief setting forth the facts of the case and asking this court to review the record and determine whether there are any arguable issues on appeal in accordance with People v. Wende, supra, 25 Cal.3d 436. Counsel advised defendant of his right to file a supplemental brief within 30 days of the date of filing of the opening brief. More than 30 days elapsed, and defendant has not filed a supplemental brief. Whether the protections afforded by Wende and the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Anders v. California (1967) 386 U.S. 738 [18 L.Ed.2d 493] apply to an appeal from an order denying a postconviction petition is an open question. Our

2 Supreme Court has not spoken on that issue, although the issue is currently pending before it. (People v. Delgadillo (Nov. 18, 2020, B304441) [nonpub. opn.], review granted Feb. 17, 2021, S266305.) Arguably, review is required pursuant to Wende or its federal constitutional counterpart, Anders, only in the first appeal of right from a criminal conviction. (People v. Serrano (2012) 211 Cal.App.4th 496, 500-501.) In People v. Figueras (2021) 61 Cal.App.5th 108, review granted May…