Opinion ID: 1254950
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Validity of Pleas

Text: (1) Defendant contends his pleas of nolo contendere were invalid because (1) the plea bargain was illusory since there was insufficient evidence to support the simple kidnaping count that was dismissed, (2) they were induced by fundamental misrepresentations as to the consequences of the plea to kidnaping for ransom with bodily harm, and (3) he did not have fair notice of what constituted bodily harm. There are a number of problems with these contentions. Among these are: First, defendant did not obtain a certificate of probable cause  ordinarily a prerequisite for appellate review of the validity of the pleas. ( People v. Holland (1978) 23 Cal.3d 77, 84 [151 Cal. Rptr. 625, 588 P.2d 765]; People v. Musante (1980) 102 Cal. App.3d 156, 158 [162 Cal. Rptr. 158]; People v. Pinon (1979) 96 Cal. App.3d 904, 909 [158 Cal. Rptr. 425]; § 1237.5.) Second, defendant failed to move to withdraw his pleas in the trial court. ( People v. Massie (1967) 66 Cal.2d 899, 910 [59 Cal. Rptr. 733, 428 P.2d 869]; People v. Pinon (1973) 35 Cal. App.3d 120, 126 [110 Cal. Rptr. 406]; People v. Barajas (1972) 26 Cal. App.3d 932, 937 [103 Cal. Rptr. 405]; § 1018.) Third, defendant's claim of an illusory plea bargain is based on a faulty premise. While it is true that a defendant is entitled to the benefits for which he bargained (see, e.g., People v. Collins (1978) 21 Cal.3d 208, 214-215 [145 Cal. Rptr. 686, 577 P.2d 1026]), defendant makes the unwarranted assumption that a nolo or guilty plea is invalid unless made for a consideration which would support a contract. If that were the law a defendant could not plead to the sheet, simply in the hope that the court will show leniency. In any event, defendant got exactly what he bargained for  dismissal of the simple kidnaping charge. There was no condition that the charge not be vulnerable to a motion to dismiss under section 995 of the Penal Code  a motion which, incidentally, was never made.