Opinion
DA 23-0428
11-28-2023
STATE OF MONTANA, Plaintiff and Appellee, v. ASIA CARL SOAPES, Defendant and Appellant.
ORDER
David A. Merchant, II, counsel for Appellant Asia Carl Soapes, has moved the Court to withdraw as counsel and for appointment of counsel from the Appellate Defender Division. Counsel asserts that Appellant is incarcerated, has no substantial assets, and can no longer afford private counsel.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the motion to withdraw as counsel is GRANTED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the motion for appointment of counsel is GRANTED. The Appellate Defender Division shall have thirty (30) days from the date of this Order within which to file either a Notice of Appearance or a motion to rescind this Order appointing counsel. In the event Appellant qualifies for appointed counsel, the Appellate Defender Division shall immediately order any additional transcripts if they have not been already ordered.
The Clerk is directed to provide a copy of this Order to counsel of record, to the Appellate Defender Division, and to Appellant Asia Carl Soapes, personally.