THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
In The Court of Appeals

The State,        Respondent,

v.

Dale O. Watson,        Appellant.


Appeal From Laurens County
James W. Johnson, Jr., Circuit Court Judge


Unpublished Opinion No. 03-UP-155
Submitted January 10, 2003 – Filed February 20, 2003   


APPEAL DISMISSED


Chief Attorney Daniel T. Stacey, of Columbia; Dale O. Watson, of Clinton; for Appellant.

Deputy Director for Legal Services Teresa A. Knox; Legal Counsel Tommy Evans, Jr.; Legal Counsel J. Benjamin Aplin, of Columbia; for Respondent.

PER CURIAM:  Dale O. Watson appeals the revocation of fifteen months of his probation.  Watson’s appellate counsel has petitioned to be relieved as counsel, stating he had reviewed the record and has concluded Watson’s appeal is without merit.  The issue briefed by counsel concerns whether under S.C. Code Ann. § 24-21-460 (1989), the trial court judge abused his discretion in revoking fifteen months of Watson’s probation. Watson has not filed any materials on his own behalf.

After a review of the record as required by Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), and State v. Williams, 305 S.C. 116, 406 S.E.2d 357 (1991), we hold there are no directly appealable issues that are arguable on their merits.  Accordingly, we dismiss Watson’s appeal and grant counsel’s motion to be relieved. [1]

APPEAL DISMISSED.

Hearn, CJ., Goolsby, and Shuler, JJ., concur.


[1]   Because oral argument would not aid the court in resolving the issues on appeal, we decide this case without oral argument pursuant to Rules 215 and 220(b)(2), SCACR.