Opinion ID: 2014394
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Involuntary Plea.

Text: The defendant argues that the trial court coerced a guilty plea. The record made at the time of the plea amply refutes that allegation. The Court: All right. Mr. Draper, what is your plea to the charge? The Defendant: I will plead no contest because I didn't point it at anyone, but I had it in my hand. The Court: Well, no contest gives the Court the right to adjudge you guilty, so if you think you are not guilty you shouldn't plead no contest, because that's a plea of guilty. The complaint allegesthe complaining witness alleges that you pointed the pistol at him several times on several different occasions, so if you feel you're not guilty, then your plea better be not guilty, and we'll set the matter for trial. Is that what you want to plead, not guilty? The Defendant: No, I had the gun, but I didn't point it at him or anything. The Court: Now, you're charged with pointing the gun; you tell me you didn't, but you want to plead guilty. The Defendant: I had the gun, yes, in my hand. The Court: You're charged with pointing the gun; that's what you're charged with. I have said that three times. What do you want to plead to that charge? Don't plead not guilty and tell me you didn't door don't plead guilty and tell me you didn't do it, because you're not being consistent. What you're charged with is unlawfully pointing a firearm at Charles Walter Roberts. Now, it should beif there is any doubt in your mind, then don't plead guilty to a crime; ask the Court to set the matter for trial. The Defendant: I will plead guilty. The Court: All right, then on your plea of guilty the Court adjudges you guilty. . . . The affidavits of the defendant which state that he was misled by the trial court must be considered in conjunction with this record. We conclude that the defendant has failed to raise even a reasonable doubt as to the voluntariness of his plea.