People v. Johnson

Defendant appeals from the dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief contending that (1) appointed counsel’s failure to amend his pro se petition into the appropriate legal form constituted a denial of his right to effective assistance of counsel, and (2) counsel’s failure to notify defendant that he would inform the court that his petition was without merit denied him due process of law.

Defendant was indicted for the offenses of unlawful sale of narcotics and unlawful possession of narcotics. The charge of unlawful sale of narcotics was reduced to unlawful possession, and…