Opinion ID: 2023046
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Motion to Withdraw Pleas.

Text: On December 15, 2000, prior to sentencing, Roeder filed a motion to withdraw her pleas. In the motion, Roeder claimed that she felt she was left with no other alternative but to accept the plea [agreement] and that she was coerced into accepting the plea [agreement] and subjected to duress because of the same. A hearing on the motion was set for December 18. However, the hearing was continued due to Roeder's concerns regarding her counsel and her desire to retain new counsel to argue for withdrawal of her pleas. On January 11, 2001, a hearing on the motion to withdraw pleas was held with Roeder represented by new counsel. Roeder testified at the hearing regarding the pleas. She testified that on the day set for trial, she was delayed due to automobile problems. She called the court to report that she had been delayed. When she arrived at the courthouse, she was arrested but was allowed to wait at the courthouse for her counsel to return. Roeder testified that counsel told her that if she did not accept the plea agreement offered by the State, she would be held in jail with no bond until trial because of her failure to timely appear. Roeder testified that she entered the pleas of guilty in order to stay out of jail, not because she was guilty. The State presented evidence including the testimony of a deputy county attorney regarding possible prejudice to the State in the event Roeder were allowed to withdraw her pleas. The State also called the original counsel who had represented Roeder at the time of her pleas as a witness. Counsel testified regarding the events of November 6, 2000. Counsel testified that she had appeared at the time set for trial but was excused by the court after Roeder failed to appear. Counsel returned to her office. Counsel returned to the courthouse after being advised that Roeder had appeared. When counsel began to testify regarding her interactions with Roeder after Roeder had presented herself at the courthouse, Roeder's new counsel objected on the basis of attorney-client privilege. The district court overruled the objection and treated it as a continuing objection. Counsel testified that she understood that due to Roeder's failure to appear, Roeder was to be arrested and taken to jail. Roeder asked counsel to speak with the court regarding whether bond would be set or revoked. Counsel attempted to do so, but the court referred counsel to the county attorney. Roeder was arrested. Counsel met with the county attorney. The State offered a plea agreement which counsel conveyed to Roeder. Counsel told Roeder that the State had agreed that if Roeder would enter pleas pursuant to the plea agreement that day, then the State would not oppose the court's setting a higher bond instead of revoking her bond. Counsel also testified that the court had indicated to her that were the underlying matter to go to trial, it would not release Roeder on bond until after the trial. After counsel and Roeder discussed the features of the plea agreement and potential sentences for convictions pursuant to such pleas, Roeder indicated to counsel that she wanted to accept the plea agreement. Counsel testified regarding Roeder's demeanor during these conversations and indicated that Roeder initially appeared upset about having been arrested but that she appeared to be asking appropriate questions in order to understand the plea agreement and the effects of entering the pleas. Counsel testified that she and Roeder met again later in the day. In the afternoon, Roeder did not indicate to counsel that she had changed her mind regarding the plea agreement. Counsel testified that Roeder appeared to have calmed down and that Roeder indicated that she understood the plea agreement and still wanted to accept it. During the allocution in connection with entry of the pleas, Roeder appeared to counsel to understand the questions and to know what she was doing. On January 24, 2001, the district court entered an order denying Roeder's motion to withdraw her pleas. The district court found that [t]he fact that [Roeder] was required to make hard choices in her own best interest and later may regret her decision is not evidence of coercion and nor [sic] is it evidence that her pleas at the time entered were not intelligently, voluntarily and knowingly made.