People v. Rasak

180 N.W.2d 282, 24 Mich. App. 346, 1970 Mich. App. LEXIS 1718

• Court: Michigan Court of Appeals
• Decided: June 3, 1970
• Docket: Docket No. 8,412
• Status: Published

Opinion

Per Curiam.

On May 22, 1969, defendant, who was represented by retained counsel, pled guilty to the crime of conspiring to violate the gambling laws of this state.

** He was sentenced on August 14, 1969 to a term of 4-1/2 to 5 years in prison. His petition to withdraw his plea of guilty and to grant a new trial was denied by an order and written opinion of the trial court. Defendant appeals from that order.

A motion to withdraw a plea must be supported by persuasive arguments showing that the plea was not voluntarily made with understanding of the nature of the charge. People v. Zaleski (1965), 375 Mich 71; People v. Pulliam (1968), 10 Mich App 481. From its opinion and the lower court record, it appears clear that the trial court carefully and properly reviewed defendant’s assertions. We find no abuse of discretion in his refusal to allow defendant to withdraw his plea of guilty.

The trial court’s findings of fact are supported by the record at the testimonial hearing and refute the defendant’s claims of error:

“1. The defendant informed the court, in answer to inquiry on two separate occasions, that,

“(a) he had been given no promises or assurance of leniency in exchange for his plea of guilty;

“(b) he had not been forced or coerced to enter a plea of guilty;

“(c) he was pleading guilty freely and voluntarily.

“2. The court, at the time of entry of plea of guilty, ascertained from the defendant that he, in fact, had committed the crime charged against him and to which he entered a plea of guilty.

“3. The defendant entered a plea of guilty voluntarily, advisedly, intentionally and understandingly.

“4. Several conferences were held within and without the presence of the court between the prosecuting attorney and counsel for the defendant, but at none of these conferences is there any showing that any promise or assurance was made by either the court or the prosecuting attorney or any member of that office as to any special consideration or leniency to be given to the defendant in return for his plea of guilty, or that any reference by the prosecuting attorney to a dismissal of a different charge in another court was, in fact, a factor in obtaining a plea of guilty from the defendant.

“5. The defendant had full opportunity to consider the plea which he entered to this charge. The original date of trial was set for February 6, 1969 and was subsequently adjourned until February 7, 1969. At this last date, the defendant informed the court, through his counsel, that he would enter a plea of guilty to the charge. By agreement of counsel, the matter was adjourned until May 3, 1969, at which time the defendant entered a plea of guilty to the said charge. The adjournment was granted so as not to jeopardize a liquor license issued to the defendant’s establishment.

“6. At the sentencing, some three months later, on August 14, 1969, the defendant again reiterated his position that no promises or special consideration of leniency were made to him in exchange for his plea of guilty.

“7. There is no showing that the plea of guilty was induced by an unfilled promise by either the prosecuting attorney or court.

“8. An assurance by the prosecuting attorney that another criminal case against the defendant would be nolle prossed, although in fact performed, was not in exchange for a plea of guilty.

“9. Counsel for the defendant acted in a competent and well-informed manner in protecting the rights of the defendant.”

We consider that this case is clearly distinguishable from In re Valle (1961), 364 Mich 471, which is relied on by the defendant. There is nothing in the record here which approaches the statement by the defense attorney found in the record made in open court in In re Valle, supra, upon which the decision of the Court there turned:

“I have talked with the prosecuting attorney who informs me that under the circumstances he would not he opposed to probation with a 6-months jail term; and the defendant wishes to enter a plea of guilty to the second count.” In re Valle, supra, at p 474.

See also People v. Best (1970), 21 Mich App 156.

Since defendant’s plea was accepted on May 22, 1969, we consider that the decisions released by our own Supreme Court on May 8, 1968 command an affirmance here as there is no assertion of innocence nor that there was a miscarriage of justice. People v. Hobdy (1968), 380 Mich 686; People v. Dunn (1968), 380 Mich 693; People v. Winegar (1968), 380 Mich 719.

Affirmed.

MOLA §§ 750.303-750.306; 750.157a (Stat Ann 1954 Rev and 1970 Cum Sup §§ 28.535-28.538, 28.354[1]).