Becker v. State

¶1 Justin Dale Becker appeals from the denial of his petition for postconviction relief by the Eighth Judicial District Court, Cascade County. We affirm.

¶2 We address the following issue:

¶3 Did Becker’s appellate counsel render ineffective assistance by failing to argue on direct appeal that Becker’s constitutional trial right was violated by his absence from a critical stage of the trial ?

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

¶4 In December of 2001, Becker was tried on the charges of accountability for criminal production or manufacture of dangerous drugs, criminal possession of dangerous drugs,…