Opinion ID: 687361
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Unconditional Plea of Guilty

Text: 36 Mr. Torres entered an unconditional plea of guilty to the charges against him. He concedes, as he must, that entry of an unconditional guilty plea results in the waiver of all nonjurisdictional defenses. United States v. Davis, 900 F.2d 1524, 1525-26 (10th Cir.), cert. denied, 498 U.S. 856, 111 S.Ct. 155, 112 L.Ed.2d 121 (1990). Mr. Torres argues, however, his plea must be withdrawn due to the ineffective assistance of trial counsel. 37 We have consistently held that the preferred method for challenging the effectiveness of counsel is by collateral attack pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Sec. 2255, because such claims often require consideration of evidence not contained in the record on appeal. See United States v. Galloway, 32 F.3d 499, 501-02 (10th Cir.1994) (citing Beaulieu v. United States, 930 F.2d 805, 806-07 (10th Cir.1991)). Mr. Torres argues his trial counsel was ineffective for three reasons, two of which concern alleged representations made by counsel to Mr. Torres concerning his guilty plea. There is nothing in the record before us bearing on whether, and under what circumstances those representations were made. The third basis alleges the failure to comply with the district court's internal rule constituted ineffective assistance of counsel. While it is clear from the record the rule was not complied with, the reasons for noncompliance and circumstances surrounding it are not fully elucidated in the record. 38 As such, Mr. Torres' ineffective assistance of counsel claim cannot be assessed in this proceeding. Because his argument concerning the district court's denial of the plea agreement is premised on that claim, that argument cannot be assessed as it pertains to Mr. Torres in this proceeding either. We note, however, Mr. Torres has preserved the issue for collateral attack under 28 U.S.C. Sec. 2255. Therefore, we dismiss this claim without prejudice to Mr. Torres' right to pursue relief under Sec. 2255. See United States v. Yates, 22 F.3d 981, 986 (10th Cir.1994).