People v. Johnson

336 N.W.2d 7, 125 Mich. App. 76

Opinions

After Remand

Before: N. J. Kaufman, P.J., and R. M. Maher and D. C. Riley, JJ.

Per Curiam.

On June 14, 1982, the Supreme Court, pursuant to GCR 1963, 853.2(4), in lieu of granting the people leave to appeal and the defendant leave to appeal as cross-appellant, reversed the judgment of the Court of Appeals and remanded the case to the Recorder’s Court of the City of Detroit for an evidentiary hearing on defendant’s claim that he was denied his right to the effective assistance of counsel at the guilty-plea proceeding. The Supreme Court directed that: "Upon completion of the hearing, the record shall be forwarded to the Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals shall thereafter address this issue.” People v Johnson, 413 Mich 487, 491; 320 NW2d 876 (1982). Accordingly, the Recorder’s Court conducted the evidentiary hearing on August 11th and 16th, 1982, and then forwarded the record to this Court. After reviewing the record, we are not persuaded that defendant was denied his right to effective assistance of counsel and, therefore, we affirm his conviction.

At the outset, we note that defendant’s contention that he was denied his right to effective assistance of counsel at the preliminary examination was waived by his plea of guilty.

Under the principles recognized by the United States Supreme Court in the Brady trilogy:¹

"[A] guilty plea represents a break in the chain of events which has preceded it in the criminal process. When a criminal defendant has solemnly admitted in open court that he is in fact guilty of the offense with which he is charged, he may not thereafter raise independent claims relating to the deprivation of constitutional rights that occurred prior to the entry of the guilty plea. He may only attack the voluntary and intelligent character of the guilty plea * * Tollett v Henderson, 411 US 258, 267; 93 S Ct 1602; 36 L Ed 2d 235 (1973).

While our Supreme Court has recognized that there is a limited class of rights, i.e., those which might provide a "complete defense” to a criminal prosecution that may never be waived by a guilty plea, People v Alvin Johnson, 396 Mich 424; 240 NW2d 729 (1976), the right asserted by defendant, i.e., the right to effective assistance of counsel, does not fall within that class. Since the remedy afforded a defendant who has been denied his or her right to effective assistance of counsel is a new trial and not a reversal, People v DeGraffenreid, 19 Mich App 702, 716; 173 NW2d 317 (1969), it cannot be said that a finding of ineffective assistance is a "complete defense” within the meaning of Alvin Johnson, supra.

Turning our attention to defendant’s claim that he was denied his right to effective assistance of counsel at the plea proceeding, it should be noted that, while the overwhelming majority of such claims involve cases where there has been a trial, this Court has held that such claims are reviewable following a plea of guilty. People v McDonnell, 91 Mich App 458; 283 NW2d 773 (1979), lv den 407 Mich 938 (1979); People v Kimble, 109 Mich App 659, 663; 311 NW2d 446 (1981).

When analyzing claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, this Court has traditionally applied the bifurcated standard set forth in People v Garcia, 398 Mich 250, 264; 247 NW2d 547 (1976), and People v DeGraffenreid, supra. This test was not designed, however, to deal with the guilty plea proceeding in which effective assistance of counsel is inextricably linked to a voluntary and understandingly tendered plea. See, Marks, Comment, Effective Assistance of Counsel in Plea Bargaining: What Is the Standard?, 12 Duquesne L Rev 321 (1973). Thus, in reviewing a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel arising out of a guilty plea, the Court should focus upon whether the defendant’s plea was made voluntarily and understanding. Tollett v Henderson, supra.

In this case, defendant’s claim of ineffective assistance is based, in large part, upon defense counsel’s alleged lack of preparation. The record reveals that defense counsel was able to meet with defendant for only a short while before the guilty plea proceeding. In People v Kimble, supra, this Court rejected the notion that "there is per se ineffective assistance of counsel where the initial contact between attorney and defendant precedes the plea of guilty and sentence by only a few hours”. Absent a claim that counsel failed to seriously investigate and consider the possibility of defenses suggested by defendant, counsel’s assistance will not be deemed ineffective merely because of the time element. People v Kimble, supra. Here there is no evidence that defendant suggested any possible defenses to counsel. While defense counsel did fail to interview eyewitnesses whose names were suggested by defendant, neglecting to interview witnesses is not, by itself, enough to constitute ineffective assistance of counsel unless it can be shown that such failure resulted in counsel’s ignorance of valuable evidence which would have substantially benefitted the accused. United States v Johnson, 466 F2d 1206 (CA 8, 1972); Winters v Cook, 333 F Supp 1033 (ND Miss, 1971). Here there has been no showing whatsoever that, had defense counsel interviewed the witnesses defendant had spoken of, he would have uncovered any favorable evidence. While the record reflects that defense counsel’s investigation into the facts of this case was not as thorough as it might have been, it was thorough enough to assure that defendant’s plea was made knowingly and voluntarily. More is not required.

Our review of the record convinces us that counsel allowed defendant to offer a plea of guilty only after she had satisfied herself that there were no available defenses, that the evidence against defendant was overwhelming and that defendant would receive a very favorable, reduced sentence. Any doubt concerning the voluntariness of defendant’s plea is guickly dispelled by a review of the plea transcript which reveals that defendant indicated on several occasions that he was pleading guilty voluntarily with full knowledge of the rights he was waiving and the potential consequences. The record also reflects that defendant provided a very thorough and detailed factual basis to support his plea. Furthermore, there is nothing in the record that would impeach defendant’s plea or suggest that the admissions he made in open court were anything but the truth.

In conclusion, we are not persuaded that defendant was denied his right to effective assistance of counsel and, therefore, we affirm.

1 Brady v United States, 397 US 742; 90 S Ct 1463; 25 L Ed 2d 747 (1970); McMann v Richardson, 397 US 759; 90 S Ct 1441; 25 L Ed 2d 763 (1970); Parker v North Carolina, 397 US 790; 90 S Ct 1458; 25 L Ed 2d 785 (1970).