State v. Thompson

Indigent offenders have a statutory right to counsel when they file an appeal “as a matter of right.” A party may appeal an order denying a motion to vacate a judgment as a matter of right. Because Priestley Thompson is indigent and his appeal is one that is allowed as a matter of right, we reverse the trial court’s order denying him his right to counsel at public expense.

FACTS

Thompson was convicted of residential burglary and attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle. The trial court imposed a standard range sentence and Thompson did not appeal. Ten months later, he moved, pursuant to…