Rickett v. City of Billings

On January 14, 1993, the Billings City Court convicted Virginia Rickett (Rickett) of the offense of prostitution, imposing a six month term of incarceration in the city jail and a $500 fine. She filed a notice of appeal and the record was transmitted to the Thirteenth Judicial District Court, Yellowstone County.

Rickett, who was unrepresented by counsel, did not appear for an omnibus hearing scheduled by the District Court. Based on her failure to appear, the court determined that Rickett had not properly perfected her appeal and had waived her appeal; it deemed the appeal to be without merit.…