Court Opinion

ID: 4446822
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-10-15 17:09:45.025123+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:24:51.222420
License: Public Domain

J-S47034-19

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA               :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                               :         PENNSYLVANIA
                                               :
                v.                             :
                                               :
                                               :
    JOSE M. GERMAN SANTOS,                     :
                                               :
                       Appellant               :       No. 473 MDA 2019

              Appeal from the PCRA Order Entered March 12, 2019
                in the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County
              Criminal Division at No(s): CP-40-CR-0000197-2017

BEFORE: DUBOW, J., NICHOLS, J., and MUSMANNO, J.

MEMORANDUM BY MUSMANNO, J.:                    FILED: OCTOBER 15, 2019

        Jose M. German Santos (“Santos”) appeals from the Order denying his

Petition for Relief filed pursuant to the Post Conviction Relief Act (“PCRA”).1

Counsel for Santos has filed a Petition to Withdraw from representation, and

a No-Merit/Turner Finley Brief.2 We grant counsel’s Petition to Withdraw,

and affirm the Order of the PCRA court.

____________________________________________

1   42 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541-9546.

2  See Commonwealth v. Turner, 544 A.2d 927 (Pa. 1988), and
Commonwealth v. Finley, 550 A.2d 213 (Pa. Super. 1988) (en banc). See
also Commonwealth v. Widgins, 29 A.3d 816, 817 n.2 (Pa. Super. 2011)
(recognizing that filing a no-merit brief may fulfill counsel’s obligation to file a
no-merit letter, provided that the brief contains all the information that must
be included in a no-merit letter).
J-S47034-19

        In its Opinion, the PCRA court summarized the relevant history

underlying this appeal as follows:

        On October 16, 2017[, Santos] pled guilty to Count 1 – Possession
        with Intent to Deliver (PWID) Marijuana; Count 6 – Driving Under
        the Influence, Controlled Substance, and Count 7 – Driving Under
        the Influence [], Controlled Substance Impaired Ability.[3] On
        November 20, 2017, [Santos] was sentenced to undergo a period
        of incarceration of seventy-two hours to six months in the Luzerne
        County Correctional Facility, Alcohol Highway Safety School, a
        twelve[-]month license suspension, and a $1,000.00 fine.
        [Santos] was also sentenced to two years [of] probation for Count
        1[,] to run consecutive to Count 6.[FN] [Santos] did not file any
        post-sentence motions or appeals. On October 12, 2018, [Santos]
        filed a PCRA Petition. On January 24, 2019[, Santos,] through
        appointed counsel, filed a supplemental PCRA Petition…. [T]he
        issue [Santos] pursued at the PCRA hearing[,] held on February
        28, 2019[,] was trial counsel’s alleged ineffectiveness for failing
        to advise him of the deportation consequences of his guilty plea.

        [FN]   Counts 6 and 7 merged for sentencing purposes.

PCRA Court Opinion, 3/12/19, at 1-2 (one footnote added, one footnote in

original).

        Following a hearing, the          PCRA court denied Santos’s Petition.

Thereafter, Santos flied the instant timely appeal, followed by a court-ordered

Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) Concise Statement of matters complained of on appeal.

        Prior to addressing the merits of the issue raised in counsel’s No-Merit

Brief, we must determine whether counsel met the procedural requirements

to withdraw. Counsel seeking to withdraw in PCRA proceedings

____________________________________________

3   See 35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(30); 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 3802(d)(1), (2).

                                           -2-
J-S47034-19

      must review the case zealously. Turner/Finley counsel must
      then submit a “no-merit” letter to the PCRA court, or brief on
      appeal to this Court, detailing the nature and extent of counsel’s
      diligent review of the case, listing the issues which petitioner
      wants to have reviewed, explaining why and how those issues lack
      merit, and requesting permission to withdraw.

      Counsel must also send to the petitioner[] (1) a copy of the “no-
      merit” letter/brief; (2) a copy of counsel’s petition to withdraw;
      and (3) a statement advising petitioner of the right to proceed pro
      se or by new counsel.

      Where counsel submits a petition and no-merit letter that satisfy
      the technical demands of Turner/Finley, the court … must then
      conduct its own review of the merits of the case. If the court
      agrees with counsel that the claims are without merit, the court
      will permit counsel to withdraw and deny relief.

Commonwealth v. Muzzy, 141 A.3d 509, 510-11 (Pa. Super. 2016)

(corrections and some quotations and citations omitted).

      Here, counsel has complied with the procedural requirements for

withdrawing as PCRA counsel. Counsel has provided Santos with a copy of

the Petition and the No-Merit Brief, and advised Santos of his right to proceed

pro se or with private counsel. See Petition to Withdraw at 1. Santos has

neither retained private counsel nor submitted any pro se filings to this Court.

Accordingly, we next address Santos’s substantive claims to determine

whether they lack merit.

      In the No-Merit Brief, Santos claims that his guilty plea counsel rendered

ineffective assistance by permitting him to plead guilty, “without informing

him of the potential for deportation.” No-Merit Brief at 5. Santos argues that

                                     -3-
J-S47034-19

his plea counsel was aware that Santos was not a United States citizen, and

that he could be deported for pleading guilty. Id.

      As this Court has explained,

      [w]hen reviewing the denial of a PCRA petition, we must
      determine whether the PCRA court’s order is supported by the
      record and free of legal error. Generally, we are bound by a PCRA
      court’s credibility determinations. However, with regard to a
      court’s legal conclusions, we apply a de novo standard.

Commonwealth v. Lee, 206 A.3d 1, 6 (Pa. Super. 2019) (citations omitted).

      To be eligible for relief based on a claim of ineffective assistance of

counsel, a PCRA petitioner must demonstrate, by a preponderance of the

evidence, that (1) the underlying claim is of arguable merit; (2) no reasonable

basis existed for counsel’s action or omission; and (3) there is a reasonable

probability that the result of the proceeding would have been different absent

such error. Commonwealth v. Steele, 961 A.2d 786, 796 (Pa. 2008). With

regard to the second, i.e., the “reasonable basis” prong, this Court will

conclude that counsel’s chosen strategy lacked a reasonable basis only if the

appellant proves that “an alternative not chosen offered a potential for success

substantially greater than the course actually pursued.” Commonwealth v.

Williams, 899 A.2d 1060, 1064 (Pa. 2006) (citation omitted). To establish

the third prong, i.e., prejudice, the appellant must show that there is a

reasonable probability that the outcome of the proceedings would have been

different but for counsel’s action or inaction. Commonwealth v. Dennis,

950 A.2d 945, 954 (Pa. 2008).

                                     -4-
J-S47034-19

      In its Opinion, the PCRA court set forth the relevant law regarding an

ineffectiveness claim relating to advice to a non-citizen about the risks of

deportation, addressed Santos’s claim and concluded that it lacks merit. See

PCRA Court Opinion, 3/12/19, at 3-5. The PCRA court’s findings are supported

in the record, and its legal conclusions are sound. See id. We therefore affirm

on the basis of the PCRA court’s Opinion, with regard to Santos’s claim of

ineffective assistance of plea counsel. See id.

      We further agree with counsel’s assessment that the appeal lacks merit

and is frivolous. Consequently, we grant counsel’s Petition to Withdraw from

representation.

      Petition to Withdraw granted. Order affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 10/15/2019

                                     -5-
                                                                                 Circulated 09/10/2019 03:31 PM

                                 IN THE COURT OF COlVlMON PLEAS
                                      OF LUZERNE COUNTY

CO:MMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA :

          v.                                               CRilvfINAL DIVISION

JOSE M. GERMAN SANTOS                                        NO: 197 OF 2017·
INMATE NO:

                                              MEMORANDUM

I.         INTRODUCTION

           This memorandum is filed to address the issues raised in the Petition for Post

Conviction Collaieral Relief (hereinafter "PCRA") by Defendant, Jose German Santos, on

October 12, 2018: At the PCRA hearing on February 27, 2019, Defendant pursued the allegation

of ineffective assistance of counsel for failing to advise him _of the deportation consequences of

his guilty plea agreement.

II.        PROCEDURAL IDSTORY

           On October 16, 2017 Defendant pled guilty to Count I -Possession with Intent to

Deliver (PWID) Marijuana; Count 6 - Driving Under the Influence, Controlled Substance; and

Count 7 - Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Controlled Substance Impaired Ability. On

November 20, 2017, Defendant was sentenced to undergo a periodof incarceration of seventy-

two hours to six months in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility, Alcohol Highway Safety

School, a twelve month licensesuspension, _and a $1,000.0d fine. Defendant was also sentenced

to two years probation for Count 1 to run consecutive to Count 6.1 Defendant did not file any. .

post-sentence motions or appeals. On October 12, 2018, Defendant filed a PCRA Petition. On

           .    .     I
1
    Counts 6 and 7 merged for sentencing purposes.

                                        Court Attachment A
 January 24, 2019 Defendant;· through appointed· counsel, filed a supplemental PCRA Petition.

 As previously indicated, the issue Defendant pursued at the PCRA hearing held on February 27,

 2019 was trial counsel's alleged ineffectiveness for failing to advise him of the deportation

 consequences of his guilty plea.

 ID.    LEGAL ANALYSIS

        To be eligible for relief under 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9543(a)(2) of the Post Conviction Relief

 Act, .a petitioner must plead and prove by a preponderance of the evidence that "ineffective

 assistance of counsel which, in the circumstances of the particular case, so undermined the truth-

 determining process that no reliable adjudication of guilt or innoc.ence could have taken place."
                   '
 Commonwealth v. Hickman, 799 A.2d 136, 140 n.2 (Pa. Super. 2002) (quoting 42 Pa.G.-�.A. §

 9543(a)(2)(ii)). :

        There is a-presumption that counsel is effective. Commonwealth v. Cross, 634 A.2d 173,.

 175 (Pa� 1993) (citing Commonwealth�: Pierce, 527 A.2d 973, 975 (Pa. 1987)). Defendant

 bears the burden of proving counsel's ineffectiveness and that burden does not shift. Cross, 634

 A.2(j at 175 (citing Commonwealth v. Jones., 471 A.2d 879 (Pa. 1984)).

        For a Defendant to prevail on   an ineffectiveness claim, he must satisfy a jhree-prong test
 and demonstrate �t: "(l � his underlying claim is of arguable merit; (2) the particular course of

· conduct pursued by counsel did not have some reasonable basis designed to effectuate his

 interests; and (3) but for counsel's ineffectiveness, there is a reasonable probability that the

 outcome of the proceedings would have been different." Commonwealth v.          AIL 10 A.3d 282,
 291 (Pa. 2010) (citing Commonwealth v. (Michael) Pierce, 786 A.2d 203, 213 (Pa 2001));

 Comm.on�ealth v. Kiroballzl 724 A.2d 326, 333 (Pa. 1999). "A failure to satisfy any prong of the
                       .                         .
 ineffectiveness test requires rejection of the claim of ineffectiveness." Commonwealth v.
 baniels, 963 A.2d 409, 419 (Pa 2009) (ci�g Commonwealth v. Sneed, 899 A.2d 1067, 1076

 (Pa. 2006)). With regard to counsel not having a reasonable basis for his action, his approach
                                                                            '

must be "so unreasonable that no competent lawyer would have chosen it." Commonwealth v.

. � 766 A.2d 859, 862-63 (Pa. Super. 2000) (quoting Commonwealth v. Miller� 431 A.2d .
                                  .                                                       -
  233, 234 (Pa. 1981)). Finally, trial counsel cannot be deemed ineffective for failing to pursue-a

 meritless claim. Commonwealth v. Loner, 836 A.2d 125, 132 (Pa. Super. 2003). ·

     ·   Allegations of ineffectiveness in connection with a guilty plea will not justify relief

 unless the ineffectiveness of counsel caused defendant to enter. an involuntary or unknowing

 plea, Commonwealth v. Anderson, 995 A.2d 1184, 1192 (Pa. Super. 2010). If the defendant

 enters a plea onthe advice of counsel, the voluntariness of the ple� depends on whether

 counsel's advice was within the range of competence which would be expected of attorneys in

 criminal cases. Id. A valid guilty plea must be knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently entered.

         It is clear that counsel must inform a noncitizen defendant .as to the risk of deportation
 that may.result from aguilty plea. Padilla v. Kentucky, 559 U.S. 356, 369 (2010). However, our

 Supreme Court has interpreted Padilla as requiring counsel to inform a defendant as to the risk of

 deportation, not as to its certainty. Commonwealth v. McDermitt, 66 A.3d 810, 814 (Pa. Super.
                   .                     .

 2013). When the risk of deportation is clear, "theduty to give correct advice is equally clear."

 Padilla, 559 U.S. at 368. However, giving correct advice does not necessarily mean that counsel ·
                                                                              . :,•

 must tell a defendant he would definitely be deported. C4:1rtnnonwealth v. Escobar. 70 A.3d 838,

 841 (Pa. Super. 2013). As the court noted in Escobar, there is po guarantee that.the United States

 Attorney General would take all the steps necessary to carry out defendant's deportation. Id.
         Here, Defendant alleged that he entered a guilty plea to .PWID Marijuana; DUI,

 Controlled Substance; and DUI, Controlled Substance Impaired Ability, without being advised
                            .                                        .
 as to the deportation co�equences of his plea by counsel. Defendant testified that he would not

 have pled guilty had he know he would be deported .. (Notes of Testimony, In re: PCRA Hearing,

 February 27, 2019, (Vough, J.) (hereinafter "N.T._'') at 5).

         Defendant. retained Joseph Sklarosky, Sr., Esq. (hereinafter "Attorney Sklarosky"),
                                                                                    . .
                                                                                             a

 criminal defense attorney with forty..five years of experience, to represent him in connection with

 the criminal case. :CN-T. 8-9). Defendant retained Attorney Sklarosky prior to -�e preliminary

 hearing and he was aware that Defendant was not a United States citizen. (N.T. 9, 12). · Attorney

 Sklarosky knew that a guilty plea to the charges filed against Defendant could subjecthim to
     •                 I

 deportation. (N.T.: 13, 15).

         Defendant eventually pled guilty to PWID Marijuana; DUI, Controlled Substance; and

 DUI, Controlled Substance Impaired Ability. The negotiated plea agreement was favorable to
          ..                    I                  .
 Defendant. Prior to pleading guilty, Attorney Sklarosky advised Defendant that he could be
                   .   ·,

 subject to deportation as Defendant
                           ..
                                     completed
                                        .
                                               Attorney Sklarosky's intake form, which

 indicated that Defendant was not a U.S. citizen and had a green card. (N.T. 9-10; 12, C-1; 12-

 13). Attorney Sklarosky testified that it is bis normal practice to refer all criminal clients who

 are not U.S. citizens charged with misdemeanors or felonies and facing possible deportation to a

 local immigration attorney. (N.T. 9-10, 13, 15-16). Attorney Sklarosky followed bis normal

·.. practice. in this case and gave the Defendant a business card for a local immigration attorney

 priorto the plea hearing on October 16, 2017. (N.T. 6, 12-13). Defendant was made aware of the
                            •

 possible deportation consequences of his .plea by Attorney Sklarosky as Defendant testified that
he received the immigration attorney's business card, but did not contact the immigration:

attorney. (N.T. 6).

       Additionally, this Court found the testimony presented by Attorney Sklarosky at the

PCRA Hearing to be credible. He followed his normal practice by advising the Defendant that

his guilty plea may res,ult in deportation and gave the Defendant an immigration attorney's

business card. The Defendant admitted to receiving the immigration attorney's phone number,

but failed to contact the attorney, Accordingly, Defendant's ineffectiveness claim lacks merit as

Attorney Sklarosky provided the requisit� advice reg�,g his plea and deportation

consequences; Defendant knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently entered-into his guilty plea

agreement. Therefore, Defendant's. Petition for Post Conviction Relief raises no issues of merit
                  I                                                                          •

and must be denied.

                                                    BY TIIE COURT:

                                                    �7[/J
                                                    :MICHAEL T. VOUGH,            J.