State v. James

THIS OPINION HAS NO PRECEDENTIAL VALUE.  IT SHOULD NOT BE CITED OR RELIED ON AS 

PRECEDENT IN ANY PROCEEDING EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BY RULE 239(d)(2), SCACR.

THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

In The Court of Appeals

The State, Respondent,

v.

Franklin James, Appellant.

Appeal From Richland County

G. Thomas Cooper, Jr., Circuit Court Judge

Unpublished Opinion No. 2006-UP-163

Submitted March 1, 2006 – Filed March 17, 2006

APPEAL DISMISSED

Assistant Appellate Defender Robert M. Dudek, Office of Appellate Defense, of Columbia, for Appellant.

Attorney General Henry Dargan McMaster, Chief Deputy Attorney General John W. McIntosh, Assistant Deputy Attorney General Salley W. Elliott, Office of the Attorney General, of Columbia; and Solicitor Warren B. Giese, of Columbia, for Respondent.

PER CURIAM:  Franklin James pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine.  He was sentenced to four years in prison with a recommendation for the addictions treatment unit.  James appeals, arguing his guilty plea did not comply with the mandates set forth in Boykin v. Alabama, 395 U.S. 238 (1969).  On appeal, counsel for James has filed a brief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), asserting that there were no meritorious grounds for appeal and requesting permission to withdraw from further representation.  James has filed a pro se response. 

After a thorough review of the record pursuant to Anders and State v. Williams, 305 S.C. 116, 406 S.E.2d 357 (1991), we dismiss the appeal and grant counsel’s petition to be relieved.

APPEAL DISMISSED.[1]

BEATTY, SHORT, and WILLIAMS, JJ., concur.

[1] We decide this case without oral argument pursuant to Rule 215, SCACR.