Opinion ID: 179974
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The District Court Properly Determined Johnson Understood The Terms Of His Plea Agreement And Waived His Right To Appeal His Sentence

Text: Johnson contends the provision within his plea agreement waiving his right to appeal his sentence should be considered invalid pursuant to Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Specifically, Johnson argues the district court did not personally address him about the terms of the waiver and properly ascertain whether he understood those terms. Rule 11(b)(1) provides in pertinent part: Before the court accepts a plea of guilty. . . the court must address the defendant personally in open court. During this address, the court must inform the defendant of, and determine that the defendant understands . . . (N) the terms of any plea-agreement provision waiving the right to appeal or to collaterally attack the sentence. Fed.R.Crim.P. 11(b)(1). Although Johnson may have been initially (1) confused by the terms of his plea agreement or (2) confused by a specific question directed to him by the court, neither constitutes plain error. The district court took pains to repeat its questions and explanations to clear any confusion Johnson may have had. United States v. Aguilar-Muniz, 156 F.3d 974, 977 (9th Cir.1998). Moreover, even if Johnson's alleged confusion did constitute Rule 11 error, it was not plain error because the record shows (1) Johnson had read his plea agreement, (2) reviewed it with his counsel, (3) signed the plea agreement and acknowledged his consent and understanding to the waiver of appeal, and (4) testified, confirmed by his counsel, that he was competent to participate in the plea hearing. See Ma, 290 F.3d at 1005 Under Ma, such abundant evidence in the record acts to cure any Rule 11 error that may have existed. 290 F.3d at 1005. Thus, the provision within Johnson's plea agreement waiving his right to appeal is valid, and no Rule 11 error exists.