X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Melton, Chief Justice. On May 10, 2012, Odeirrick Boone entered a non-negotiated guilty plea to malice murder and various other offenses in connection with the robbery of a convenience store and the stabbing death of the store owner, Balk Sung. On January 31, 2020, Boone filed a pro se motion for leave to file an out-of-time appeal, arguing that his trial counsel was ineffective for having failed to inform him of his right to pursue an appeal of his convictions. The trial court denied Boone’s motion summarily and without holding a hearing, which prompted the current appeal. For the reasons that follow, and as the State properly concedes, the trial court’s order must be vacated and this case remanded to the trial court to hold a hearing to determine whether Boone is entitled to an out-of-time appeal due to the ineffective assistance of his plea counsel. “A criminal defendant is entitled to an out-of-time appeal if his counsel’s constitutionally deficient performance deprived him of an appeal of right that he otherwise would have pursued.” Collier v. State, 307 Ga. 363, 364 (1) (834 SE2d 769) (2019). Where the constitutional violation alleged by the defendant is ineffective assistance of counsel in providing advice about or acting upon an appeal of right [such as an appeal from the judgment of conviction entered on a guilty plea], that violation is reviewed under the familiar standard of Strickland v. Washington, 466 U. S. 668 (104 SCt 2052, 80 LE2d 674) (1984). [Cit]. To meet his burden of proving that counsel’s ineffectiveness deprived him of his right to an appeal, the criminal defendant must show (1) that counsel’s representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness, and (2) that counsel’s deficient performance prejudiced the defendant. [Cit.] (Punctuation omitted.) Id. at 364-365 (1). However, with regard to the deficient performance prong of the Strickland test, “we cannot determine whether [Boone's] counsel performed deficiently in failing to file a notice of appeal because the trial court failed to hold an evidentiary hearing on the issue.” Blackwell v. State, 306 Ga. 577, 578 (832 SE2d 352) (2019). Accordingly, we must vacate the trial court’s order denying Boone’s motion for an out-of-time appeal and remand this case to the trial court for a determination of whether counsel performed deficiently in failing to inform Boone of his right to a direct appeal from his guilty plea. See Collier, supra, 307 Ga. at 376 (3). With respect to the prejudice prong of the Strickland test, we emphasize that to be granted an out-of-time appeal Boone need not prove that he would have prevailed in a timely appeal, but only that “there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s deficient failure to consult with him about an appeal, he would have timely appealed.” Ringold v. State, 304 Ga. 875, 881 (823 SE2d 342) (2019) (quoting Roe v. Flores-Ortega, 528 U. S. 470, 484 (II) (B) (3) (120 SCt 1029, 145 LE2d 985) (2000)). See also Blackwell, supra, 306 Ga. at 578; Collier, supra, 307 Ga. at 365 (1). We therefore vacate the trial court’s order denying Boone’s motion for an out-of-time appeal and remand this case to the trial court for proceedings consistent with this opinion. See Blackwell, supra, 306 Ga. at 578. Judgment vacated and case remanded with direction. Nahmias, P. J., and Boggs, Peterson, Bethel, Ellington, and McMillian, JJ., concur. Warren, J., not participating.

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
June 20, 2024
Atlanta, GA

The Daily Report is honoring those attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession.


Learn More
April 25, 2024
Dubai

Law firms & in-house legal departments with a presence in the middle east celebrate outstanding achievement within the profession.


Learn More
April 29, 2024 - May 01, 2024
Aurora, CO

The premier educational and networking event for employee benefits brokers and agents.


Learn More

A large and well-established Tampa company is seeking a contracts administrator to support the company's in-house attorney and manage a wide...


Apply Now ›

We are seeking an attorney to join our commercial finance practice in either our Stamford, Hartford or New Haven offices. Candidates should ...


Apply Now ›

We are seeking an attorney to join our corporate and transactional practice. Candidates should have a minimum of 8 years of general corporat...


Apply Now ›
04/15/2024
Connecticut Law Tribune

MELICK & PORTER, LLP PROMOTES CONNECTICUT PARTNERS HOLLY ROGERS, STEVEN BANKS, and ALEXANDER AHRENS


View Announcement ›
04/11/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
04/08/2024
Daily Report

Daily Report 1/2 Page Professional Announcement 60 Days


View Announcement ›