State of Missouri, Respondent v. Brian Browder, Appellant

This slip opinion is subject to revision and may not reflect the final opinion adopted by the Court. Opinion Missouri Court of Appeals Western District Case Style: State of Missouri, Respondent v. Brian Browder, Appellant Case Number: WD57774 Handdown Date: 05/16/2000 Appeal From: Circuit Court of Saline County, Hon. Robert Ravenhill Counsel for Appellant: Emmett Queener Counsel for Respondent: John Morris and Gregory Barnes Opinion Summary: Brian Browder appeals the circuit court's judgment to dismiss his motion for postconviction relief because it did not satisfy the filing deadline of Rule 24.035, and the state asks for sanctions against Browder for filing a frivolous appeal. AFFIRMED. Division holds: (1) Missouri courts have repeatedly, and without exception, made abundantly clear that the time limits set forth in the postconviction rules are valid and mandatory. (2) This court's recent decision in Martin v. State, WD 54915, slip op. (April 4, 2000) dealt with the issue of when sanctions will be ordered in postconviction appeals. Because, however, counsel in this case did not have the benefit of this court's instructions in Martin before filing the appeal and the briefs in this case, this court will not sanction Browder or his attorney for filing a frivolous appeal. In subsequent appeals of rulings on post-conviction motions, both the client and his or her attorney will be fully aware of Martin and the implications of that decision and will proceed accordingly. Citation: Opinion Author: Paul M. Spinden, Judge Opinion Vote: AFFIRMED. Ellis, P.J. and Newton, J., concur. Opinion:

Brian Browder appeals the circuit court's judgment to dismiss his motion for postconviction relief because it did not satisfy the filing deadline of Rule 24.035. He challenges the deadline as unconstitutional because the rule makes no provision for late filing of a postconviction motion for good cause shown. We affirm the circuit court's judgment. Day v. State, 770 S.W.2d 692, 695 (Mo. banc), cert. denied sub nom., Walker v. State, 493 U.S. 866 (1989) (holding time limits of Rule 24.035 to be valid and mandatory). In response to Browder's appeal, the state asks for sanctions against Browder for the filing of a frivolous appeal. This court's recent decision in Martin v. State, WD 54915, slip op. (April 4, 2000) dealt with the issue of when sanctions will be ordered in postconviction appeals. In that case, we held that a frivolous argument is one that is "so clearly and facially without a rational argument based in law, or is otherwise so clearly and facially untenable that it has no prospect of success." Id. slip op at 28. We also set forth the procedure that counsel should follow if he or she, after reviewing the legal file and transcripts, finds no arguable claims in the case but the client wishes to proceed with the appeal. Id. slip op at 25-26. Browder's appeal in this case had absolutely no prospect of success and was frivolous. Missouri courts have repeatedly, and without exception, made abundantly clear that the time limits set forth in the postconviction rules are valid and mandatory. State v. Roll, 942 S.W.2d 370, 374 (Mo. banc), cert. denied, 522 U.S. 954 (1997); State v. Parker, 886 S.W.2d 908, 929 (Mo. banc 1994), cert. denied, 514 U.S. 1098 (1995); State v. Blankenship, 830 S.W.2d 1, 16 (Mo. banc 1992); State v. Twenter, 818 S.W.2d 628, 644 (Mo. banc 1991); State v. Six, 805 S.W.2d 159, 169-70 (Mo. banc), cert. denied, 502 U.S. 871 (1991); Day v. State, 770 S.W.2d at 695. The time limitations expressed in Rules 24.035 and 29.15 have withstood constitutional challenge, Curl v. State, 873 S.W.2d 655, 656 (Mo. App. 1994), even though the rules make no provision for late filing if good cause is shown, Marschke v. State, 946 S.W.2d 10, 12 (Mo. App. 1997), or for excusable neglect. Cowans v. State, 778 S.W.2d 758, 762 (Mo. App. 1989). See also Nimrod v. State, WD56534, slip op. (January 11, 2000). Because, however, counsel in this case did not have the benefit of this court's instructions in Martin before filing the appeal and the briefs in this case, we will not sanction Browder or his attorney for filing a frivolous appeal. We will assume, however, that, in subsequent appeals of rulings on postconviction motions, both the client and his or her attorney will be fully aware of our holding in Martin and the implications of that decision and will proceed accordingly. We affirm the circuit court's judgment. Separate Opinion:

None This slip opinion is subject to revision and may not reflect the final opinion adopted by the Court.