Opinion ID: 723492
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Miscalculation of Sentence

Text: 18 Vasquez-Navarro contends that he was induced into signing the plea agreement because his attorney told him that his sentence would be within the range of 70 to 80 months and that Vasquez-Navarro was unaware of the ten-year mandatory minimum sentence for conspiracy. We disagree. 19 A district court must advise a defendant of the mandatory minimum penalty provided by law, if any, and the maximum possible penalty. Fed.R.Crim.P. 11(c)(1). An erroneous prediction by the defendant's attorney regarding his possible sentence does not amount to ineffective assistance of counsel. See United States v. Keller, 902 F.2d 1391, 1394 (9th Cir.1990); United States v. Turner, 881 F.2d 684, 687 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 493 U.S. 871 (1989). 20 Here, Vasquez-Navarro signed a plea agreement, which explicitly stated that there was a ten-year mandatory minimum sentence. Moreover, the district court informed Vasquez-Navarro of the ten-year mandatory minimum sentence and the maximum possible sentences available for the crime charged and Vasquez-Navarro acknowledged that he understood the penalties. Additionally, the court advised him that: (1) the sentencing guidelines would govern; (2) the guideline sentence could not be determined until the presentence report was prepared; (3) the judge may have authority to enter a more or less severe sentence than suggested by the guidelines; and (4) he was still bound by his plea, even if the sentence was more severe than he expected. 21 Given the colloquy between Vasquez-Navarro and the court, Vasquez-Navarro entered a guilty plea with the understanding that the court was not bound by any sentencing agreement. See Keller, 902 F.2d at 1394. Because Vasquez-Navarro was fully aware of his possible sentence, he cannot show that he was prejudiced by counsel's alleged miscalculation. See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687; Turner, 881 F.2d at 687. 22 AFFIRMED IN PART, VACATED and REMANDED IN PART. The parties shall bear their own costs.