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SMITH v. ROBBINS

United States Supreme Court No. 98-1037

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QUESTION PRESENTED: Should Anders v. California be modified or overruled?

ORAL ARGUMENT DATE: October 5, 1999

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INTRODUCTION

Interest of amicus curiae
Summary of facts and case
Summary of argument

ARGUMENT - Part I

I. Appointed appellate counsel's dutiets to defendant should be defined in light of the limited resources available to the criminal justice system

Part II

II. Anders requires appointed counsel confronted with a frivolous appeal to write an "impossible brief," that overburdens the courts and treats other defendants unfairly

A. The improper premise
B. The impossible dilemma
C. The impossible distinction

Part III

III. Anders should be overruled or substantially modified

Conclusion