Opinion ID: 887356
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Effect of Medication on Guilty Pleas

Text: ¶ 28 Lone Elk claims he was not stabilized on his anti-depressant medication at the time he entered his guilty plea and, therefore, his plea was unknowing, unintelligent, and involuntary. We agree with the First Circuit that medication can in some circumstances affect a defendant's mental state to a degree that undermines the defendant's ability to enter a voluntary plea. United States v. Savinon-Acosta (1st Cir.2000), 232 F.3d 265, 268. However, George Sheckelton, M.D., testified that lack of concentration is not a side-effect of Zoloft, and Lone Elk asserts no other side-effects that could affect his voluntariness. Irrespective of whether Lone Elk was stabilized in his medication, there is no evidence in the record that Zoloft could have affected his ability to make a voluntary plea. ¶ 29 We affirm. We Concur: KARLA M. GRAY, C.J., JOHN WARNER, BRIAN MORRIS and JIM RICE, JJ., concur.