Court Opinion

ID: 9545448
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 17:12:47.946671+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:14:49.739692
License: Public Domain

SINGLETON, Judge,
concurring.
The dissent correctly notes that Love does not assert his innocence in seeking to set aside his plea. The cases are in conflict regarding the necessity for such an assertion where plea withdrawal is sought prior to imposition of sentence. See 2 C. Wright & A. Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure, § 538, n.63 at 473 (and accompanying text). While the Alaska Supreme Court has held that a civil default should not be set aside for excusable neglect or procedural oversight unless the movant alleges a meritorious defense, Markland v. City of Fairbanks, 513 P.2d 658 (Alaska 1973), we do not believe that requirement should apply in criminal cases, at least where withdrawal is sought prior to sentencing. The right to trial serves a purpose in criminal cases additional to that served in civil cases justifying, in our opinion, disparate treatment. While evidence of innocence would support a request to withdraw a plea, its absence should not condemn it. Alaska R.Crim.P. ll(h)(l)(iii).