Pleas

• Author: Barry Boss/Jeffrey H. Rutherford/Michael J. Proctor
• Pages: 499-542

PLEAS

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CHAPTER 12

PLEAS

I. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

A. Choosing Pleas

1. Factors

§12:1 Permissible Pleas

§12:2 Weigh Factors

§12:3 Risk of Trial

2. Assist Client in Choosing Plea

§12:4 Help Client Make Informed Decision

§12:5 Likely Sentence

B. Entering Pleas

§12:6 When?

§12:7 How?

§12:8 Before Whom?

§12:9 Nonappearing Defendant

§12:10 The Corporate Guilty Plea

II. TYPES OF PLEAS

A. Advantages and Disadvantages

§12:15 Guilty Plea Without Agreement

§12:16 Guilty Plea After Agreement

§12:17 Conditional Guilty Plea

B. Not Guilty

§12:18 Effect

§12:19 Procedure

C. Guilty

1. Effect

§12:25 Ends Prosecution

§12:26 Relinquishes Attack Based on Constitutional Rights

§12:27 Waives Non-Constitutionally-Based Defects

§12:28 Does Not Waive Jurisdictional Challenges

§12:29 Does Not Waive Challenge Based on Defects on Plea Entry

2. Requirements

a. In General

§12:30 Procedure

§12:31 Knowing and Voluntary

§12:32 Mental Competency

b. Effec tive Assistance of Counsel

§12:33 Showing Required

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Federal Criminal Practice 12-2

§12:34 Prejudice

§12:35 Competence

§12:36 Procedure

3. Conditioned on Right to Appeal (Conditional Plea)

§12:37 How Plea Works

§12:38 Effect

§12:39 Advantages

§12:39.1 Avoid Trial

§12:39.2 More Lenient Sentence

§12:39.3 No Trial Record for Appellate Court

§12:39.4 Preserve Non-Constitutionally-Based Errors

§12:40 Disadvantages

§12:41 Government and Court Consent Required

§12:42 Stipulated Trial as Alternative

§12:43 Case-Dispositive Issues

§12:44 Examples of Dispositive Issues

§12:45 Procedure Before Appeal

§12:46 Get Agreement in Writing

§12:47 Consequences of Appeal

§12:48 Sentence Appeal

4. Without Admission of Guilt: Alford Pleas

§12:51 In General

§12:52 Expect Prosecutor’s Objection

§12:53 Court’s Acceptance or Rejection

§12:54 Advantages

§12:55 Disadvantages

§12:56 Role of Counsel

D. Nolo Contendere

§12:57 Generally

§12:58 Effect

§12:59 Advantages and Disadvantages

§12:60 Expect Government Opposition

§12:61 Court Consent Required

§12:62 Procedure

III. GUILTY PLEA PROCEDURE

A. Consider Preplea Presentence Report

1. In General

§12:66 Nature

§12:67 Authority

§12:68 Why Obtain?

§12:69 Advantages

§12:70 Disadvantages

2. Procedure

§12:71 Defendant’s Consent

§12:72 Information Needed From Government

§12:73 Expect Government Resistance

§12:74 Convincing Prosecutor

3. Providing Defense Information

§12:75 Strategy

§12:76 Do Not Allow Probation Off‌icer to Interview Defendant

§12:77 Create Personal History Prof‌ile

PLEAS

12-3 Pleas

B. Prepare Client

§12:78 Introduction

§12:79 Checklist

§12:80 Independently Collect Criminal History Score Information

§12:81 Caution Client About Admitting Relevant Conduct

§12:82 Describe Personal Consequences

§12:83 Specify Legal Consequences in Addition to Imprisonment

§12:84 Describe Plea Colloquy

C. Enter Plea

1. Foundation

§12:90 Disclose Plea Agreement

§12:91 Establish Factual Basis of Guilt

2. Colloquy Between Judge and Defendant

§12:92 Nature and Purpose

§12:93 Core Subjects

§12:94 Rights Defendant Gives Up

§12:95 Knowing and Voluntary

§12:96 Nature of Charge

§12:97 Minimum Penalty

§12:98 Drug Cases

§12:99 Maximum Penalty

§12:99.1 Maximum Statutory Term and Fine

§12:99.2 Supervised Release

§12:99.3 Restitution

§12:100 Departure from Advisory Sentencing Guidelines

§12:101 Direct Consequences Resulting From a Conviction

§12:102 Court’s Failure to Follow Plea Requirements

§12:102.1 Harmless, Unless Affecting Substantial Rights

§12:102.2 Examples of Variances Affecting Substantial Rights

§12:102.3 Examples of Variances Not Affecting Substantial Rights

§12:102.4 Factors Reviewing Court Will Consider

§12:103 Rejection

D. Vacating Plea

1. Avenues for Relief

§12:106 Attacking Plea

2. Withdrawal

§12:107 Procedure

§12:108 Before Sentencing

§12:109 After Sentencing

IV. FORMS

Form 12A: Motion to Withdraw Guilty Plea