Commonwealth v. Moffett

In this case we decide for the first time what procedures should be adopted to implement the constitutional principle of Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967). To that end, we consider the nature and extent of appointed counsel’s duty to represent an indigent criminal defendant on appeal, when counsel believes the appeal is frivolous. We also conclude, upon examining the merits of the issues raised on this appeal, that there is no reversible error, and we affirm the judgments.

The defendant, Ernest Moffett, appeals from his convictions of armed robbery and of assault and battery by means…