Opinion
Case No. 20090596-CA.
Filed November 5, 2009. Not For Official Publication
Appeal from the Third District, West Jordan Department, 060405679 The Honorable Terry L. Christiansen.
Carl Alton Winfield, Draper, Appellant Pro Se.
Mark L. Shurtleff and Brett J. Delporto, Salt Lake City, for Appellee.
Before Judges Orme, Thorne, and McHugh.
MEMORANDUM DECISION
Carl Alton Winfield appeals the trial court's order granting summary judgment in favor of the State and denying his petition for postconviction relief. This is before the court on its own motion for summary disposition based on the lack of a substantial question for review.
Where a court has appellate jurisdiction, "an appellant must allege the lower court committed an error that the appellate court should correct. . . . If an appellant fails to allege specific errors of the lower court, the appellate court will not seek out errors in the lower court's decision." Allen v. Friel, 2008 UT 56, ¶ 7, 194 P.3d 903. Because Winfield is seeking this court's review of a district court's decision, he must address reasons why the district court's decision denying his petition should be overturned. See id. ¶ 14. However, Winfield fails to address the trial court's ruling.
Instead, Winfield merely reasserts issues listed in his petition and argued to the trial court. In doing so, he ignores the legal basis for the trial court's ruling. Absent an actual allegation of trial court error in its decision denying Winfield's petition, there is no substantial question for review warranting further consideration by this court.
Affirmed.
Gregory K. Orme, Judge, William A. Thorne Jr., Judge, Carolyn B. McHugh, Judge.