Opinion ID: 2036582
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Alleged Erroneous Advice by Original Counsel

Text: Carlson argues that at the hearing on the motion to withdraw the plea, he established that his attorney had improperly promised him that he could withdraw the plea upon the possible discovery of additional evidence. On appeal, Carlson claims that his original attorney's erroneous advice upon which he relied established a fair and just reason requiring withdrawal of the plea. Following our review of the record on the motion to withdraw the plea, we cannot conclude that the district court which heard and observed the witnesses abused its discretion in rejecting Carlson's assertion that his attorney had promised him that he could withdraw his plea upon the possible discovery of additional evidence and in concluding that Carlson had failed to establish a fair and just reason to withdraw the plea. In connection with the alleged promise by original counsel regarding entry of the plea, Carlson argues on appeal that the advice his attorney gave him was deficient, that he was prejudiced by such advice, and that he was therefore denied effective assistance of counsel. Carlson asserts that because he was denied effective assistance of counsel in connection with the entry of the plea, the district court erred in denying his motion to withdraw the plea. In order to establish that a defendant was denied effective assistance of counsel, the defendant must ordinarily demonstrate that counsel's performance was deficient and that the defendant was prejudiced thereby. State v. Trotter, 259 Neb. 212, 609 N.W.2d 33 (2000). In determining whether a trial counsel's performance was deficient, there is a strong presumption that counsel acted reasonably. State v. Williams, 259 Neb. 234, 609 N.W.2d 313 (2000). In order to satisfy the prejudice requirement in the context of a plea, the defendant must show that his or her counsel erred and there is a reasonable probability that but for counsel's errors, the defendant would not have pled and would have insisted upon going to trial. State v. Buckman, 259 Neb. 924, 613 N.W.2d 463 (2000). Carlson claims that but for his original attorney's advice that he could withdraw his plea if new evidence was discovered, he would not have entered his plea of no contest and would have insisted upon going to trial. Carlson claims his attorney's purported advice regarding withdrawal of a plea was erroneous. In so claiming, Carlson relies on cases, not repeated here, concerning the discovery of new evidence after trial, counsel's advice in relation thereto, and the propriety of rulings on motions for new trial. See, e.g., State v. Kluge, 198 Neb. 115, 251 N.W.2d 737 (1977). The cases are inapposite. At the hearing on the motion to withdraw the plea, Carlson testified that his original attorney had told him he could withdraw his plea if new evidence were discovered. In contrast, the attorney's testimony indicates that his advice regarding the utility of new evidence in connection with withdrawal of a plea was tempered by his assessment communicated to Carlson that the new evidence would have to be quite powerful and that he had a hard time envisioning the discovery of evidence in Carlson's case that would form the basis for withdrawal of a plea. In its evaluation of the evidence from the evidentiary hearing on the motion to withdraw the plea, the district court found that the attorney's discussion with Carlson regarding the possible discovery of additional evidence and withdrawal of a plea was a part of trial strategy discussions between [Carlson] and his counsel and therefore not a promise to Carlson that he could withdraw his plea in the future. In denying the motion to withdraw the plea, it is clear that having heard and observed the witnesses, the district court accepted the testimony of Carlson's attorney. The court found that no promise that a plea could be withdrawn was made by the original attorney and concluded that such advice was not deficient and, therefore, Carlson's attorney was not ineffective. Given the strong presumption that counsel acted reasonably, see State v. Williams, supra , and considering the above recited testimony which the district court observed and heard, we cannot find that the district court erred in crediting the attorney's testimony nor do we find that the attorney's performance as reflected in his testimony was deficient. Thus, Carlson's original attorney's performance was not deficient and Carlson was not denied effective assistance of counsel in connection with the entry of his plea of no contest. We conclude that on this record, the district court did not abuse its discretion in concluding that Carlson had failed to present by clear and convincing evidence a fair and just reason to withdraw his plea. Accordingly, the district court did not err in denying Carlson's motion to withdraw his plea.