ANDERS BRIEF

Anders  brief.Criminal  procedure.  A  brief  filed  by  a  court-appointed  defense  attorney  who

wants to withdraw from the case on appeal based on a belief that the appeal is frivolous. • In an

Anders  brief,  the  attorney  seeking  to  withdraw  must  identify  anything  in  the  record  that  might

arguably support the appeal. The court then decides whether the appeal is frivolous and whether

the attorney should be permitted to withdraw. Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396

(1967). —  Also  termed  no-merit brief.  [Cases:  Criminal  Law    1077.3.  C.J.S. Criminal  Law §§

1689–1694.]

“Anders  requires  an  attorney  to  assume  two  somewhat  contradictory  roles  when  filing  a

no-merit brief. The first, and most important, role is that of an advocate.Anders makes clear that

the  first  duty  of  appellate  counsel  is  to  study  the  record  and  to  consult  with  the  defendant  to

ascertain whether there is anything in the record to support an appeal. Counsel should not consider

the case with a view toward finding no merit or of acting as a neutral party. Only if counsel can

find no issue of even arguable merit does he change hats and become an amicus curiae.” Jonathan

M. Purver & Lawrence E. Taylor, Handling Criminal Appeals § 138, at 285 (1980). [Blacks Law 8th]