Commonwealth v. Armstead

Opinion

Per Curiam,

Appellant pleaded guilty, was sentenced, and did not appeal. His PCHA petition alleged denial of his constitutional right to representation by competent counsel “when entering plea of guilty”, and denial of his appeal right. In substance, the petition attacks the validity of the guilty plea. The PCHA court entered an order granting appellant the right to appeal nunc pro tunc.

“When it is found in the course of a PCHA proceeding that a petitioner has been deprived of his right *121of appeal from a conviction based upon a guilty plea, the PCHA court should usually proceed to hear…