Opinion ID: 778379
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Error which is plain

Text: 15 The Court in Olano advised that any deviation from a legal rule is an error and that plain is synonymous with clear or obvious. Olano, 507 U.S. at 733-34, 113 S.Ct. 1770. In this case, there is no dispute that the district court's failure to inquire specifically about prior discussions between the government and Jimenez or his attorney deviated from Federal Rule 11(d). That rule provides, 16 The court shall not accept a plea of guilty or nolo contendere without first, by addressing the defendant personally in open court, determining that the plea is voluntary and not the result of force or threats or of promises apart from a plea agreement. The court shall also inquire as to whether the defendant's willingness to plead guilty or nolo contendere results from prior discussions between the attorney for the government and the defendant or the defendant's attorney. 17 Fed.R.Crim.P. 11(d) (emphasis added). Moreover, the court's failure to conform to the rule was salient given the Rule's express provisions requiring such an inquiry. Thus, the question presented is whether Jimenez can establish that the omission affected his substantial rights.