Opinion ID: 1918267
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: whether goss's guilty plea was voluntarily and freely given.

Text: ¶ 19. As previously mentioned, Goss argues that he was coerced into accepting the second plea bargain agreement. Among the reasons Goss asserts are Judge Gordon's refusal to rule on his pretrial motions, defense counsel's alleged conflict of interest, and his impression that he had no choice but to plead guilty to or go to trial with an attorney who could not adequately represent him. However, as also previously noted, the court transcript does not support Goss's assertions regarding this matter. ¶ 20. When determining the validity of a guilty plea, this Court has held that a guilty plea will only be binding if it is voluntarily and intelligently entered. Drennan v. State, 695 So.2d 581, 584 (Miss.1997) (quoting Banana v. State, 635 So.2d 851, 854 (Miss. 1994)). See, e.g., Boykin v. Alabama, 395 U.S. 238, 89 S.Ct. 1709, 23 L.Ed.2d 274 (1969); Alexander v. State, 605 So.2d 1170, 1172 (Miss.1992); Myers v. State, 583 So.2d 174, 177 (Miss.1991); Wilson v. State, 577 So.2d 394, 397 (Miss.1991). In order for a guilty plea to be voluntarily and intelligently entered, a defendant must be advised about the nature of the crime charged against him and the consequences of the guilty plea. Banana, 635 So.2d at 854. Specifically, Rule 8.04(A)(4) of the Uniform Rules of Circuit and County Court Practice, provides: Advice to the Defendant. When the defendant is arraigned and wishes to plead guilty to the offense charged, it is the duty of the trial court to address the defendant personally and to inquire and determine: a. That the accused is competent to understand the nature of the charge; b. That the accused understands the nature and consequences of the plea, and the maximum and minimum penalties provided by law; c. That the accused understands that by pleading guilty (s)he waives his/her constitutional rights of trial by jury, the right to confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses, and the right against self-incrimination; if the accused is not represented by an attorney, that (s)he is aware of his/her right to an attorney at every stage of the proceeding and that one will be appointed to represent him/her if (s)he is indigent. URCCC 8.04(A)(4). ¶ 21. The court records indicate that Goss was advised of his constitutional rights before entering his guilty plea. Specifically, at Goss's guilty plea hearing, Goss was questioned by Judge Gordon regarding his understanding of his constitutional rights, the consequences of a guilty plea and his competency to enter a plea. The following court transcripts specifically demonstrate that Goss was in fact advised of each constitutional right he was waiving by pleading guilty. ¶ 22. In Smith v. State, 636 So.2d 1220 (Miss.1994), this Court stated [w]hen we compare [Smith's] previous sworn testimony during his guilty plea with his current affidavit, the latter is practically rendered a `sham,' thus allowing summary dismissal of the petition to stand. Id. at 1224 (citation omitted). The case sub judice is similar to Smith in that Goss's pleadings are in direct conflict with the court transcript. The record clearly belies every allegation Goss makes in his Motion for Post-Conviction Relief. Therefore, there is no merit to Goss's claim that his guilty plea was not freely and voluntarily given.