Opinion ID: 885035
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: ¶ 14 Prior to accepting a guilty plea, the trial court must satisfy the statutory requirements set forth at §§ 46-12-210 and 46-16-105, MCA. Because a defendant waives numerous constitutional rights when pleading guilty, it is a well-settled legal principle that a guilty plea must be a voluntary, knowing, and intelligent choice among the alternative courses of action open to the defendant. State v. Bowley (1997), 282 Mont. 298, 304, 938 P.2d 592, 595 (citing State v. Radi (1991), 250 Mont. 155, 159, 818 P.2d 1203, 1206). ¶ 15 The trial court may permit the plea of guilty to be withdrawn, at any time before or after judgment, for good cause shown. Section 46-16-105(2), MCA. In determining whether to allow a defendant to withdraw a guilty plea, the court must consider each case in light of its own unique record. Bowley, 282 Mont. at 304, 938 P.2d at 595 (citing State v. Enoch (1994), 269 Mont. 8, 11, 887 P.2d 175, 177). However, all doubt should be resolved in favor of a trial on the merits. . . . State v. Schaff, 1998 MT 104, ¶ 16, 288 Mont. 421, ¶ 16, 958 P.2d 682, ¶ 16 (citing State v. McAllister (1934), 96 Mont. 348, 353, 30 P.2d 821, 823; State v. Enoch (1994), 269 Mont. 8, 18, 887 P.2d 175, 181). The court will permit a change of plea if it fairly appears that the defendant was in ignorance of his rights and of the consequences of his act. . . . Schaff, ¶ 17 (citing McAllister, 96 Mont. at 353, 30 P.2d at 823). ¶ 16 Our standard for reviewing a district court's denial of a motion to withdraw a guilty plea is whether the district court abused its discretion. Bowley, 282 Mont. at 304, 938 P.2d at 595. In determining whether a district court abused its discretion, we consider three factors: (1) the adequacy of the court's interrogation at the time the plea was entered regarding the defendant's understanding of the consequences of the plea; (2) the promptness with which the defendant attempts to withdraw the plea; and (3) the fact that the plea was the result of a plea bargain in which the guilty plea was given in exchange for dismissal of another charge. Bowley, 282 Mont. at 304, 938 P.2d at 595.