Opinion ID: 10016
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Refusal to Allow Wild a Chance to Consult Counsel

Text: 22 While a defendant has no absolute right to have a guilty plea accepted, a court must exercise sound discretion in determining whether or not to reject a plea. Santobello v. New York, 404 U.S. 257, 262, 92 S.Ct. 495, 498, 30 L.Ed.2d 427 (1971). 23 At the hearing on May 15, 1995, after the trial judge denied Williams's motion to withdraw, he asked Wild whether he believed he was guilty and if he wanted a trial. At this point Wild said he wanted to talk with his lawyer, Williams. The court denied the request and required Wild to decide whether he wanted to change his plea and have a trial. Wild answered that he was not guilty and that he wanted a trial. Consequently, the plea agreement was rejected, and the case went to trial. The consequence of losing the plea agreement was that instead of an 18 month sentence pursuant to the plea agreement, Wild received a 71 month sentence after trial. He contends that the district court denied him assistance of counsel by not letting him confer with counsel before answering the court's questions about his plea. 24 The government counters that a defendant has no absolute right to plead guilty, and a trial court has the discretion to reject a guilty plea. The district court, the government continues, satisfied Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11's stricture of thoroughly delving into the defendant's understanding of his rights and the consequences of pleading guilty. On March 6, 1995, when Wild pleaded guilty, he was advised of his rights after being sworn. He assured the court that his guilty plea was being made after consultation with his attorney and that the plea was being made freely and voluntarily and was not the result of force. The trial court waited for the presentence report to be completed before ruling on whether to accept the plea. 25 A district court possesses broad discretion in deciding whether to accept or reject a guilty plea. United States v. Bettelyoun, 503 F.2d 1333, 1336 (8th Cir.1974). That discretion is limited only by the procedural requirements of Rule 11. Id. Wild had discussed his plea arrangement with his counsel extensively beforehand. Furthermore, at the Rule 11 hearing he went through an extensive discussion with the trial court on the very issue of his plea. The trial court did not abuse its discretion by refusing to allow Wild yet another opportunity to consult with Williams prior to advising the court whether he wanted to withdraw his guilty plea. 26