Opinion ID: 1159631
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Principles Guiding Interpretation of Plea Agreements

Text: Courts have long applied contract principles when interpreting defense and prosecution obligations under plea agreements. See People v. McCormick, 859 P.2d 846, 856 (Colo.1993) (citing cases). However, a plea agreement is more than a mere contract between two parties and `must be attended by constitutional safeguards to ensure that a defendant receives the performance that he is due.' Craig v. People, 986 P.2d 951, 961 (Colo.1999) (quoting McCormick, 859 P.2d at 856). Our task is to interpret a plea agreement consistent with the reasonable intent of the parties in light of the defendant's right to be treated fairly by the government. See id. (citing People v. Wilbur, 890 P.2d 113, 117 (Colo.1995)). We interpret plea agreements pursuant to an objective standard, focusing on the meaning a reasonable person would have attached to the agreement under the circumstances. See Craig, 986 P.2d at 961. In effectuating the intentions of the parties, we recognize that terms of a plea agreement may be implied as well as expressed plainly on the agreement's face. See United States v. Bunner, 134 F.3d 1000, 1003 (10th Cir.1998). Determination of the parties' obligations under a plea agreement is a question of law we review de novo. See Craig, 986 P.2d at 960; see also St. James v. People, 948 P.2d 1028, 1030-31 (Colo.1997). In contrast, we review a trial court's factual finding of breach under a clearly erroneous standard. See St. James, 948 P.2d at 1031. Appellate review of plea agreements often involves a blend of law and facts. [6] Id. When a party has materially and substantially breached its own obligations under the plea agreement, this discharges the opposing party from its obligations. See McCormick, 859 P.2d at 856. A remedy of specific performance on a plea agreement requires the defendant to establish the circumstances entitling him to relief. See People v. Fisher, 657 P.2d 922, 928 (Colo.1983). Included in the obligations of all parties to a plea agreement, consistent with contract principles, is a continuing duty to perform in good faith. [7] See, e.g., United States v. Jones, 58 F.3d 688, 692 (D.C.Cir.1995)(citing Restatement (Second) of Contracts § 205 (1981)).