Walter F. Kusay, Jr., Petitioner-appellant, v. United States of America, Respondent-appellee, 53 F.3d 333 (7th Cir. 1995)

Order

Walter Kusay, Jr., pleaded guilty to mail fraud. Kusay says that he asked his lawyer to appeal the sentence, only to be told: "Wally, you don't have the money to appeal." No appeal was filed. When Kusay sought relief under 28 U.S.C. §2255, the district court dismissed the petition, holding that all claims had been waived by failure to appeal.

Castellanos v. United States, 26 F.3d 717 (7th Cir. 1994), which was released after the district court's decision, holds that a lawyer's failure to carry out his client's instruction to take an appeal is ineffective assistance of counsel, entitling the defendant to an appeal (with the aid of counsel) as if on direct review. This case therefore must be remanded so that the district judge may determine whether Kusay is telling the truth when he says that he asked his lawyer to appeal, and that the lawyer refused.

If the lawyer indeed refused to file a notice of appeal, more than a new appeal lies in store. A criminal lawyer may not abandon a client whose funds have run out. Until relieved by a court, a lawyer must continue the representation--if need be, under the terms of the Criminal Justice Act. Circuit Rule 4. The United States submits that, when the lawyer balked, Kusay had to file his own notice of appeal. Not so. Kusay was entitled to the services of an advocate. A lawyer who deserts his client does not foist the burdens of self-representation on the defendant; instead the lawyer brings shame (and professional discipline) on himself, and the defendant is entitled to a new proceeding with the aid of a competent, ethical lawyer.

The judgment is vacated, and the case is remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion and with Castellanos.