Court Opinion

ID: 9577787
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 21:38:06.48973+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:21:16.302692
License: Public Domain

AMUNDSON, Justice
(concurring specially).
In State v. Grosh, 387 N.W.2d 503, 505-06 (S.D.1986), this court held:
The withdrawal of a guilty plea before the imposition of sentence is within the sound discretion of the trial court. SDCL 23A-27-11. There is no absolute right to withdraw a guilty plea, but the trial court’s ‘discretion in the matter should be exercised liberally in favor of withdrawal, unless it appears that the State has detrimentally relied upon the plea and the prosecution of the defendant has been thereby prejudiced.’ (Citations omitted.) (Emphasis added.)
In this case, there is no question that the motion to withdraw was submitted prior to sentencing, nor is there any dispute regarding prejudice.
Further, Engelman has always asserted his innocence as evidence by the type of plea entered, to-wit: the Alford plea, which was accepted by the trial court and the prosecution. I can accept the majority’s position that an Alford plea does not equate to an automatic right to withdraw same. On the other hand, the entry of this type of plea should be an important factor when exercising discretion liberally. United States v. Boone, 869 F.2d 1089 (8th Cir.1989); United States v. Barker, 514 F.2d 208 (D.C.Cir.1975), cert. denied 421 U.S. 1013, 95 S.Ct. 2420, 44 L.Ed.2d 682 (1975).
*104In this particular ease, the type of plea and the mental condition of Engelmann when considered together certainly provide a basis for an exercise of liberal discretion for granting the withdrawal. What does Engelmann get as a benefit from this? The opportunity, at a minimum, to face a conviction on all counts which the State chooses to file with the potential for 150 years of confinement and $150,000 in fines.