Opinion ID: 60846
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Lee’s Guilty Plea

Text: Because Lee made no objection that his plea proceedings were inadequate, we review his arguments that his guilty plea was invalid for plain error only. See United States v. Evans, 478 F.3d 1332, 1338 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, 128 S. Ct. 257 (2007). Under this standard, there must be an error that is plain and that affects substantial rights. United States v. Vance, 494 F.3d 985, 993 (11th Cir. 2007) (internal quotations and citations omitted). Accordingly, in order to prevail, Lee must show a reasonable probability that, but for the alleged errors, he would not have entered the plea. Evans, 478 F.3d at1338. 2
Lee argues first that the magistrate judge erred by failing to inform him that he had the right to require the government to prove to a jury that the statute of limitations had not expired, and failing to correct his lawyer’s misapprehension that there was no “good faith basis” for asserting a statute of limitations defense. A court’s violation of Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure 11 constitutes plain error only where the court totally fails to address one of the rule’s three core objectives, identified by us as: “(1) ensuring that the guilty plea is free of coercion; (2) ensuring that the defendant understands the nature of the charges against him; and (3) ensuring that the defendant is aware of the direct consequences of the guilty plea.” Gordon v. United States, 496 F.3d 1270, 1278 (11th Cir. 2007) (internal quotations and citation omitted). Further, we have held that a district court's failure to inform a defendant during the plea colloquy that he could raise a “good faith” defense to the charges if he were to proceed to trial does not violate Rule 11, as nothing in Rule 11 requires the trial judge to inform the defendant of every possible defense that he may have. Dismuke v. United States, 864 F.2d 106, 107 (11th Cir. 1989). It is clear to us from the plea colloquy that Lee knowingly and voluntarily pled guilty. 3
Lee next contends that he was denied effective assistance of counsel, and his trial attorney’s deficient performance rendered his plea unknowing and involuntary. Specifically, he argues that his defense counsel provided him with “patently erroneous advice” in advising him that she had no good faith basis for mounting a statute of limitations defense, and failed to evaluate fully the limited waiver of appeal as it related to the facts of his case. “We will not consider an ineffective assistance of counsel claim that is raised for the first time on direct appeal where there has been an insufficient opportunity to develop the record with regard to the merits of the claim.” United States v. Garcia-Jaimes, 484 F.3d 1311, 1321 (11th Cir.), petition for cert. filed, (Jun. 11, 2007) (No. 06-11863). Because there is insufficient evidence in the record concerning whether Lee’s trial counsel misadvised him regarding his statute of limitations defense and failed to evaluate the limited waiver of appeal as it related to the facts of his case, we decline to address the merits of these claims. See id.
Lee argues also that the plea agreement was ambiguous and contained contradictory and incorrect statements regarding the sentencing consequences of 4 his plea. “Any ambiguities in the terms of a [plea] agreement should be resolved in favor of the criminal defendant.” United States v. Pielago, 135 F.3d 703, 709-710 (11th Cir. 1998). Where the language of the agreement is ambiguous, extrinsic evidence of the parties’ intent may be considered to interpret the agreement. United States v. Copeland, 381 F.3d 1101, 1106 (11th Cir. 2004). The plea agreement at issue here does not appear to be ambiguous. Moreover, Lee stated under oath that he was aware that he faced a statutory minimum penalty of life imprisonment, and understood that the sentencing court had no authority to sentence him below the mandatory minimum unless the government elected, in its sole discretion, to file a motion recognizing his substantial assistance.