Opinion ID: 2543558
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Waiver of Right of Appeal

Text: As to Campbell's additional claims on appeal, the State contends Campbell waived the right to appeal his conviction when he entered into the sentencing agreement with the State. We agree. The right of appeal is entirely a statutory right; no appellate review is required by the United States Constitution, [citation omitted], or the Kansas Constitution, [citation omitted]. State v. Ji, 255 Kan. 101, 102, 872 P.2d 748 (1994). A defendant's right to appeal from a judgment is set forth in K.S.A. 2001 Supp. 22-3602(a). Where it can be shown that the defendant was fully aware of his or her right to appeal, or was fully advised of his or her right to appeal by counsel at the time of sentencing, a waiver of that right may be established. State v. Willingham, 266 Kan. 98, Syl. ¶ 2, 967 P.2d 1079 (1998). A knowing and voluntary waiver by the defendant of his statutory right to appeal is generally enforceable. United States v. Hernandez, 134 F.3d 1435, 1437 (10th Cir. 1998). In this case, the written sentencing agreement signed by Campbell specifically stated that Campbell waives any right to appeal the verdict against him. At sentencing, Campbell affirmed that the written agreement constituted the sentencing agreement as he understood it. Although the district judge did not specifically inform Campbell of his right to appeal at the sentencing hearing and ask Campbell whether such waiver was done freely and knowingly, Campbell's counsel acknowledged that the sentencing agreement was contingent upon Campbell not pursuing his right to appeal his conviction. The State also stated to the district court that Campbell had agreed to waive his appeal rights. A sentencing court is required by statute to advise a defendant of the defendant's right to appeal after imposing sentence. K.S.A. 22-3424(f). However, failure to fully advise a defendant of this right does not necessarily preclude a defendant's specific waiver of the right to appeal. See Willingham, 266 Kan. 98, Syl. ¶ 2. Campbell does not allege the waiver of the right to appeal his convictions was not done freely and knowingly. In fact, Campbell does not even address the issue of waiver. Campbell bargained with the State for a reduction in sentence in exchange for his cooperation, testimony against Etheridge, and waiver of his appeal rights. The State abided by the terms of the agreement. Thus, Campbell knowingly and voluntarily waived the right to appeal his conviction when he entered into the sentencing agreement with the State. Therefore, we need not address Campbell's additional claims on appeal. Affirmed.