State v. Rosales

94 So. 3d 36, 11 La.App. 5 Cir. 674, 2012 WL 1415138, 2012 La. App. LEXIS 559
CourtLouisiana Court of Appeal
DecidedApril 24, 2012
DocketNo. 11-KA-674
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 94 So. 3d 36 (State v. Rosales) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Louisiana Court of Appeal primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Rosales, 94 So. 3d 36, 11 La.App. 5 Cir. 674, 2012 WL 1415138, 2012 La. App. LEXIS 559 (La. Ct. App. 2012).

Opinion

MARC E. JOHNSON, Judge.

| gThe State of Louisiana appeals the granting of a Motion to Quash Predicates in favor of Defendant, Erlich Joel Rosales, for two prior DWI convictions in the 24th Judicial District Court, Division “P”. For [39]*39the following reasons, we reverse and remand for further proceedings.

STATEMENT OF THE CASE

On June 17, 2010, the Jefferson Parish District Attorney filed a bill of information charging Defendant, Erlich Joel Rosales, with driving while intoxicated (DWI), third offense, in violation of LSA-R.S. 14:98. The bill of information alleged that Defendant had two prior convictions for DWI. The first predicate alleged was on June 12, 2003, in case number F1436651 in First Parish Court, Division “B,” in Jefferson Parish. The second predicate alleged was on March 3, 2009, in case number 539311 in the 29th Judicial District Court, Division |S“E,” in St. Charles Parish. Although Defendant did not appear at the arraignment on June 30, 2010, a plea in absentia of not guilty was entered on his behalf.1

Thereafter, on September 24, 2010, Defendant filed a “Motion to Quash Predicates with Memorandum.” On September 29, 2010, a hearing was held on the motion to quash.2 On December 1, 2010, Defendant’s motion to quash was granted, and the State orally moved for an appeal.3 On December 8, 2010, the State filed a written motion for appeal, which was granted on the same date. The State’s appeal follows. FACTS

The bill of information was quashed in this matter, and therefore, the case did not proceed to trial. Nevertheless, the facts are not at issue.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR

The State’s sole assignment of error asserts the trial court erroneously granted Defendant’s Motion to Quash the Predicates.

DISCUSSION

The State argues Defendant did not meet his burden under State v. Carlos, 98-1366 (La.7/7/99); 738 So.2d 556, by failing to produce affirmative evidence for either predicate plea that he suffered an infringement of his Boykin4 rights because he did not understand the English language and he was not advised of potential deportation consequences by the court or his attorneys. The State asserts that neither alleged deficiency is a constitutional violation that would render his predicate pleas unconstitutional for purposes of enhancement. The State argues 14that the transcript shows that Felix Reyes was present to translate for the first predicate; defense counsel admitted that he represented Defendant in the second predicate; and that a translator was present at the time of the plea. Further, the State argues that Padilla v. Kentucky5 does not apply in the instant proceeding as a collateral attack on a predicate plea. The State argues Defendant was not at risk of deportation, and even if the Defendant could prove that he [40]*40was not advised of the potential deportation consequences, he cannot prove he was prejudiced. The State concludes that Defendant’s predicate pleas were knowing and voluntary and were taken in conformity with the procedural safeguards set forth in Boykin v. Alabama, and later codified in LSA-C.Cr.P. arts. 556 and 556.1.

Defendant responds that he has a very limited understanding of the English language and was not granted the full range and force of his constitutional rights because his Boykin rights, the consequences of any future DWI convictions, and the deportation consequences of his pleas were inadequately explained to him. Defendant argues that the State presents its opinion about his ability to understand English, noting that his apparent ability at the hearing in September of 2010 cannot be used to judge his ability at the time of his predicate convictions in 2003 and 2009. Defendant contends there is an indication that a translator was present for the first predicate plea, but there is no information regarding his qualifications and competency. He further suggests that there is no evidence that the waiver of rights form was translated to him, noting that the cer-tifícate at the end of the form is incomplete. Defendant argues there is no signed waiver of rights form for the second predicate plea, and the transcript does not show a translator was present. Further, Defendant contends he was not made aware of the enhanced penalties of a third offense in neither of the proceedings, nor was he notified of any possible 1 immigration consequences of his guilty plea to a third offense. Finally, Defendant argues that for the second predicate, the District Attorney in St. Charles Parish agreed that the first conviction was inadequate and Defendant pleaded to a first offense, instead of a second offense.6

In the instant proceedings, Defendant filed a motion to quash the predicates, arguing that he was a “non-national” with a limited understanding of the English language. He argued that he did not have a translator present in either.of the predicate proceedings to explain to him the repercussions of his plea. He further claimed that he was not notified in either case of the immigration consequences that the predicates would initialize. Defendant filed a memorandum in support of his motion. In the memorandum, he argued that his pleas were not made with the full knowledge of his rights and the nature of the charges against him as required by LSA-C.Cr.P. art. 556. He argued that a translator was present for the proceeding for the first offense, but the waiver of rights form, which he signed on June 12, 2003, does not reflect that the form was translated for him. He further argued that the certification was incomplete and undated. As for the second offense, Defendant argued that there was no signed waiver, and the March 3, 2009 transcript shows no evidence that a translator was present to assist him. He argued that, in both cases, he was not made aware of the consequences of his enhanced penalties that could come into play with a third offense, nor was he informed of possible immigration consequences of the guilty pleas, citing Padilla v. Kentucky, supra. Defendant argued because of his limited English proficiency at the time of the predicates, the aid of an interpreter was essential in ensuring he understood his rights and the consequences of the pleas. He argued that there was “at least significant doubt with respect to whether the [41]*41defendant was made fully aware of | fithat information through the use of an interpreter.” He argues that the pleas were made without his full understanding of the proceedings against him in violation of LSA-C.Cr.P. art. 25.1(A).7

On September 29, 2010, a hearing was conducted on the motion to quash. Defense counsel argued that, when he was charged in St. Charles Parish, Defendant was not charged with a second offense because the District Attorney indicated he felt the predicate from First Parish Court was not sufficient. However, he recognized the record was silent as to this. He further argued that the trial judge only discussed the enhanced second offense and did not go any further. Counsel also argued neither he nor the court advised Defendant of the immigration consequences he faced if he pleaded to an offense that resulted in a sentence of greater than one year.

The State responded by arguing that it was Defendant’s burden of proof, and that there was no evidence that Defendant was a “non-national.” The State introduced two exhibits into evidence.

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Related

State v. Rosales
132 So. 3d 1285 (Louisiana Court of Appeal, 2014)
State v. Mendoza
113 So. 3d 288 (Louisiana Court of Appeal, 2013)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
94 So. 3d 36, 11 La.App. 5 Cir. 674, 2012 WL 1415138, 2012 La. App. LEXIS 559, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-rosales-lactapp-2012.