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The People v. Galea

California Court of Appeals, Third District, Amador
May 24, 2023
No. C096856 (Cal. Ct. App. May. 24, 2023)

Opinion

C096856

05-24-2023

THE PEOPLE, Plaintiff and Respondent, v. MATTHEW DAVID GALEA, Defendant and Appellant.


NOT TO BE PUBLISHED

(Super. Ct. No. 22CR31700)

HULL, Acting P. J.

Appointed counsel for defendant Matthew David Galea asked this court to conduct an independent review of the record to determine whether there are any arguable issues on appeal. (People v. Wende (1979) 25 Cal.3d 839.) Finding no arguable error that would result in a disposition more favorable to defendant, we affirm the judgment.

BACKGROUND

In June 2022, the People charged defendant with hit and run driving resulting in death or serious injury to another person. (Veh. Code, § 20001, subd. (b)(2).) The People also alleged three aggravating circumstances related to the crime and four related to the defendant. Defendant pleaded guilty to hit and run and admitted the seven aggravating factors.

The court presented the factual basis for the plea: On or about May 18, 2022, defendant was driving a vehicle when he struck a person, causing them "death and serious injury." Defendant failed to stop after striking the victim. He failed to provide reasonable assistance to the victim and failed to give his identifying information to the victim or to law enforcement at the scene. Defendant also failed to report the accident. Defense counsel joined in the plea.

At sentencing, the trial court denied probation and sentenced defendant to the upper term of four years in state prison. The court imposed various fines and fees, ordered defendant to pay restitution, and awarded defendant 84 days of custody credit. Defendant appeals his conviction without a certificate of probable cause. Appointed counsel submitted a Fares letter to the trial court, in response to which the trial court amended the judgment nunc pro tunc to reflect the correct fines and fees.

DISCUSSION

We appointed counsel to represent defendant on appeal. Counsel filed an opening brief that sets forth the facts and procedural history of the case and requests this court to review the record and determine whether there are any arguable issues on appeal. (People v. Wende, supra, 25 Cal.3d 436.) Defendant was advised by counsel of his right to file a supplemental brief within 30 days from the date the opening brief was filed. More than 30 days have elapsed, and defendant has not filed a supplemental brief. Having undertaken an examination of the entire record pursuant to Wende, we find no arguable error that would result in a disposition more favorable to defendant.

Accordingly, we affirm the judgment.

DISPOSITION

The judgment is affirmed.

We concur: DUARTE, J. EARL, J.


Summaries of

The People v. Galea

California Court of Appeals, Third District, Amador
May 24, 2023
No. C096856 (Cal. Ct. App. May. 24, 2023)
Case details for

The People v. Galea

Case Details

Full title:THE PEOPLE, Plaintiff and Respondent, v. MATTHEW DAVID GALEA, Defendant…

Court:California Court of Appeals, Third District, Amador

Date published: May 24, 2023

Citations

No. C096856 (Cal. Ct. App. May. 24, 2023)