Opinion ID: 853369
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Claims of Promised Leniency

Text: Some petitions allege in substance a promise of leniency in sentencing. In other words, the claim is that a different result was predicted or guaranteed to result from a plea. In some courts, this claim has been supported by independent evidence substantiating the contention that counsel promised or predicted that a plea agreement would produce a lesser sentence. See, e.g., State v. Bowers, 192 Ariz. 419, 966 P.2d 1023, 1029 (Ct.App.1998). We agree that, if a petition cites independent evidence controverting the record of the plea proceedings and supporting a claim of intimidation by an exaggerated penalty or enticement by an understated maximum exposure, it may state a claim. Some petitions have been supported by objective factstypically affidavits of counselthat support the claim and do not controvert the record. Under these circumstances, in an era predating a developed body of ineffective assistance law, this error has been held to create a factual issue as to whether the plea was voluntary. Dube v. State, 257 Ind. 398, 275 N.E.2d 7 (1971). Whether viewed as ineffective assistance of counsel or an involuntary plea, the postconviction court must resolve the factual issue of the materiality of the bad advice in the decision to plead, and postconviction relief may be granted if the plea can be shown to have been influenced by counsel's error. However, if the postconviction court finds that the petitioner would have pleaded guilty even if competently advised as to the penal consequences, the error in advice is immaterial to the decision to plead and there is no prejudice.