Opinion ID: 2976434
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Proper Consultations with Lawyer

Text: The final issue raised by the Anders brief is “whether or not Mr. Jaydonta Lavar Washington had proper consultations with his attorney in his case.” (Appellant’s Br. 7.) Although appellate counsel failed to specify the legal significance of this issue, presumably he meant to examine either whether the defendant’s guilty plea was valid or whether trial counsel rendered effective assistance. Neither, however, has merit. A guilty plea must be entered knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently. Brady v. United States, 397 U.S. 742, 748 (1970). The only potential impropriety indicated in the Anders brief is a statement included in the defendant’s motion to withdraw his guilty plea, which was subsequently withdrawn, that “Mr. Washington and counsel have never discussed his guilt or innocence in this matter.” (R.50, Mot. to Withdraw Guilty Plea at 5.) This statement is irrelevant to the validity of Washington’s plea, however, because the defendant admitted in the written plea agreement as well as under oath during the change of plea hearing that he had been fully advised of the plea agreement, that he had ample opportunity to discuss the case with counsel prior to pleading guilty, and that he was satisfied with counsel’s advice and representation. (See R.37, Plea Agreement at 1-3; Transcript of Change of Plea at 4, 6, 11). Therefore, the defendant has no basis to argue that his plea was not - 12 - No. 03-6566 U.S. v. Washington entered knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently based on a lack of consultation or improper consultation with his lawyer. Although the Anders brief may have attempted to argue that the defendant was denied effective assistance of counsel prior to entering a guilty plea, claims of ineffective assistance of counsel are better addressed in a habeas corpus motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255. In general, raising ineffectiveness claims on direct review is appropriate only where “trial counsel’s ineffectiveness is so apparent from the record that appellate counsel will consider it advisable to raise the issue on direct appeal.” Massaro v. United States, 538 U.S. 500, 508 (2003). Here, there is virtually no evidence in the record regarding pre-plea consultations between the defendant and trial counsel. Because “[s]uch facts are more appropriately developed at the district court level,” United States v. Valdez, 362 F.3d 903, 913 (6th Cir. 2004), the panel need not address ineffective assistance of counsel on direct appeal. Therefore, there is no viable issue for appeal based on a lack of proper consultation between Washington and trial counsel before the defendant pleaded guilty.