Opinion ID: 1711340
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: whether rush received effective assistance of counsel

Text: ¶ 16. Rush's allegations of ineffectiveness of counsel clearly fail to satisfy the stringent standard set forth in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984) as adopted by this Court in Schmitt v. State, 560 So.2d 148 (Miss.1990). Rush claims that Robert Prather did nothing to aid him during his plea and sentencing and that Prather failed to disclose the letter sent to him by his Monroe County attorney, Fagan. Fagan's letter to Judge Howard explains that Prather never received his letter. Thus, Prather could not have known about any supposed deal in Monroe County that included the same charge for which Rush was later indicted in Lowndes County. A valid guilty plea waives the presentation of witnesses and a jury trial. Sanders v. State, 440 So.2d 278 (Miss.1983). In fact, Rush did not tell Judge Howard that he had what he thought was a conviction on the same charges in Monroe County and should consequently not have to plead to the same charges in Lowndes County. Incredibly, Rush told Judge Howard that he did not have any prior convictions. However, Prather promptly advised the judge that in fact, Rush was on parole from a prior offense in Michigan. Judge Howard found Rush's plea to be free and voluntary and that there was a factual basis therefor. The plea was thus based on Rush's admission and was found valid. Corley v. State, 585 So.2d 765 (Miss.1991). Rush had full knowledge of the charge against him, as well as the elements of the charge and the possible consequences. Reynolds v. State, 521 So.2d 914, 916 (Miss.1988). ¶ 17. Regardless, Prather succeeded in getting two charges dropped and the habitual offender charge removed prior to Rush's plea to the Lowndes County indictment. Besides, it is clear that Rush was only charged in Monroe County with two checks which were clearly forged and uttered in that county. He never pled guilty to any charge in Monroe County, and no judgment was entered by that court. In fact, Monroe County is in a different circuit court district than Lowndes County. Even if there had been a valid plea bargain in Monroe County, which there was not, that county or circuit district would have no jurisdiction or authority over a charge which occurred in Lowndes County which did not involve the district attorney or circuit judge of that county. This record supports that Prather provided effective assistance to Rush. On appeal, this Court must confine itself to what actually appears in the record, and unless provided otherwise by the record, the trial court will be presumed correct. Shelton v. Kindred, 279 So.2d 642, 644 (Miss.1973). ¶ 18. This Court cannot conclude from the meager allegations submitted by Rush that Prather's performance was deficient in that it fell below an objective standard of reasonable professional service, or that any deficient performance prejudiced the defense such that there is a reasonable probability that the outcome of a trial would have been different. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687-88, 104 S.Ct. 2052. Rush failed to show both a deficiency or any resulting prejudice. Thus both prongs of Strickland have not been satisfied. This issue is without merit.