Opinion ID: 172357
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Alleged Procedural Errors at the Initial Appearance

Text: Mr. Brooks next argues that he is entitled to a new trial because the district court, at his initial appearance, failed to comply with Rule 5(d) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Because Mr. Brooks makes this argument for the first time on appeal, we review the district court's actions for plain error. See United States v. DeShazer, 554 F.3d 1281, 1288 (10th Cir.2009); see also United States v. Vonn, 535 U.S. 55, 65-66, 122 S.Ct. 1043, 152 L.Ed.2d 90 (2002) (applying the plain error rule to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure). Plain error is (1) error, (2) that is plain, which (3) affects substantial rights, and which (4) seriously affects the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of judicial proceedings. DeShazer, 554 F.3d at 1288 (quoting United States v. Muñoz-Nava, 524 F.3d 1137, 1147 (10th Cir.2008)). The district court did not err by failing to advise Mr. Brooks of his right to a Rule 5(d) preliminary hearing. The Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure require the court, at a defendant's initial appearance, to advise the defendant of  any right to a preliminary hearing. Fed.R.Crim.P. 5(d)(1)(D) (emphasis added). Because Mr. Brooks had been indicted before his initial appearance, he had no right to a preliminary hearing. See Fed. R.Crim.P. 5 advisory committee's note, 1972 amend. n. 3; 18 U.S.C. § 3060(e). The district court therefore had no duty to advise him of such a right. The district court did err by failing to advise Mr. Brooks of his right not to make a statement. See Fed.R.Crim.P. 5(d)(1)(E). However, this error was not plain error because it did not affect Mr. Brooks's substantial rights. A defendant demonstrates that an error affects his substantial rights by showing a reasonable probability that, but for the error claimed, the result of the proceeding would have been different. United States v. Cook, 550 F.3d 1292, 1298 (10th Cir.2008) (quotations omitted). The error in this case appears to have had no effect at all. At the initial appearance, Mr. Brooks merely pleaded not guilty and indicated that he understood certain statements that the judge had made. At trial, he exercised his right to remain silent by not testifying. On appeal, Mr. Brooks has not identified any incriminating statements that he made during or after his initial appearance. We therefore conclude that the district court's error did not affect his substantial rights.