Opinion ID: 566414
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: district court error in accepting plea

Text: 20 We treat the question of whether a plea was made knowingly as a factual matter to be reviewed under the clearly erroneous standard. U.S. v. Read, 778 F.2d 1437, 1440 (9th Cir.1985), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 835, 107 S.Ct. 131, 93 L.Ed.2d 75 (1986). While the ultimate question of whether a plea was entered voluntarily is to be reviewed de novo. Iaea v. Sunn, 800 F.2d 861, 864 (9th Cir.1986). See also Marshall v. Lonberger, 459 U.S. 422, 431-32, 103 S.Ct. 843, 849-50, 74 L.Ed.2d 646 (1983). 21 Petitioner contends that the district court erred by accepting his plea of nolo contendere because he did not understand the nature of the charges. He argues that the district court judge was required to recite the elements of the offenses. This contention lacks merit. 22 Before accepting a plea of nolo contendere, the district court must inform the defendant of, and determine that the defendant understands ... the nature of the charge to which the plea is offered. Fed.R.Crim.P. 11(c)(1). The nature of the district court's inquiry may vary depending on the particular facts of the situation, the complexity of the charges, the personal characteristics of the defendant, and whether the defendant was represented by counsel. U.S. v. Kamer, 781 F.2d 1380, 1384 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 819, 107 S.Ct. 80, 93 L.Ed.2d 35 (1986). Here, at the district court's request, the prosecutor explained the nature of the charges to Sharp at both plea hearings. The government's explanation went beyond the mere reading of the indictment and, according to Sharp's counsel, the explanation fairly stated the charge. We may assume that Sharp, as vice-president of sales at the fraudulent company, did not lack intelligence; he replied affirmatively to the court's question whether he understood the charges at both hearings. 23 The totality of these circumstances indicate that Sharp understood the nature of the charges against him. Therefore, the district court did not err by accepting his plea of nolo contendere.