Court Opinion

ID: 9716334
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 06:34:29.897756+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:23:43.998002
License: Public Domain

Dissenting Opinion by
Van dee Vooet, J.:
I respectfully dissent from the Opinion of the majority in this case for the reason that although it has some similarities to Commonwealth v. Schork, 230 Pa. Superior Ct. 411, 326 A.2d 878 (1974), I believe it is different and distinguishable from our holding in that case.
*143The appellant in the instant case pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery and carrying a concealed deadly weapon. He now claims that he was not adequately informed of the charges against him and that consequently his plea was not voluntarily and understandingly made. In the recorded colloquy he was asked the following question: “Q. Do you understand the charges which you appear at the bar of the Court, to wit: Aggravated Robbery and C.C.D.W., that you have an absolute right to have this matter heard by a jury? A. Yes.”
It appears to me that appellant by this question and answer indicated to the hearing judge that he did understand the charges against him. He had skilled counsel and there is no reason to assume that when he says that he did understand the charges against him that he nevertheless did not. In Commonwealth v. Schork, the defendant was not asked whether or not he understood the charges against him. In that case, he was asked if he understood that he was charged with four counts of burglary, he was asked if he knew that they occurred in 1972, he was asked if he understood what the maximum sentence of the charge of burglary was, and he Avas asked if he had reviewed the charges against him and if he felt that he was guilty of the three burglaries. To all of these inquiries, he replied in the affirmative. He was charged additionally with larceny and receiving stolen goods, which charges were not explained to him in any way.
In the case at bar, the appellant was asked if he understood all of the charges against him, albeit the Ave&pons charge was named by its initials, C.C.D.W.; however, the fact that the one charge was identified by its initials would be the greater reason for appellant to indicate that he didn’t understand that charge if in fact he did not.
*144For these reasons, while the colloquy was not an example for future guidance, it appears to me to be adequate under pre-Ingram standards and I would affirm the judgment of sentence.