Court Opinion

ID: 9890693
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-10-13 23:03:14.15847+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:37:35.365135
License: Public Domain

Filed 10/13/23 P. v. Carlock CA5

                  NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication
or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

           IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
                                     FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

    THE PEOPLE,
                                                                                             F084477
           Plaintiff and Respondent,
                                                                               (Super. Ct. No. F21901031)
                    v.

    RORY DALE CARLOCK,                                                                    OPINION
           Defendant and Appellant.

                                                   THE COURT*
         APPEAL from an order of the Superior Court of Fresno County. James A. Kelley,
Judge.
         Maureen M. Bodo, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and
Appellant.
         Rob Bonta, Attorney General, Lance E. Winters, Chief Assistant Attorney
General, Michael P. Farrell, Assistant Attorney General, Michael A. Canzoneri and
Eric L. Christoffersen, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
                                                        -ooOoo-

*        Before Franson, Acting P. J., Snauffer, J. and DeSantos, J.
                                    INTRODUCTION
       Defendant contends on this appeal that the trial court abused its discretion in
denying his motion to withdraw his plea. We conclude the court did not abuse its
discretion and affirm the judgment.
                              PROCEDURAL SUMMARY
       Defendant was charged with driving under the influence causing injury (Veh.
Code, § 23153, subd. (f); count 1), with an enhancement that he personally inflicted great
bodily injury (Pen. Code,1 § 12022.7, subd. (a)), arson of property during an emergency
(§§ 451, subd. (d), 454, subd. (a)(2); count 2), leaving the scene of an accident involving
serious injury (Veh. Code, § 20001, subd. (b)(2); count 3), possession of one ounce or
more of methamphetamine (Health & Saf. Code, § 11378; count 4), unlawful possession
of ammunition (§ 30305, subd. (a)(1); count 5), possession of flammable material (§ 453,
subd. (a); count 6), misdemeanor destruction of evidence (§ 135; count 7), and
misdemeanor possession of a smoking device (Health & Saf. Code, § 11364; count 8).
       Defendant pled no contest to count 1, driving under the influence causing injury,
and admitted the great bodily injury allegation. In light of the plea, the court granted the
prosecutor’s motion to dismiss the remaining counts. Before sentencing, defendant filed
a written motion requesting to withdraw his plea. The court issued an order denying the
motion. Defendant was sentenced to five years state prison.
                                          DISCUSSION
       Defendant contends the trial court abused its discretion when it denied his motion
to withdraw his plea. First, defendant argues the court’s denial was not adequately
supported by a finding that defendant’s plea was knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily
made. Second, defendant contends that he had good cause to withdraw his plea based on
his belief he was entitled to half-time credits. Defendant concedes that the court was not

1      All statutory references are to the Penal Code except where otherwise noted.

                                             2.
required to advise him concerning indirect consequences of his plea, such as the
limitations on custody credits, but argues his counsel had such a duty. Defendant argues
he should have been allowed to withdraw his plea based on his counsel’s inadequate
advisement. The People respond that the plea was knowingly, intelligently, and
voluntarily made and that defendant fails to show the court abused its discretion in
denying the motion. We agree with the People.
        A.     Relevant Factual and Procedural Background
        Defendant entered a no contest plea to count 1, admitting the great bodily injury
enhancement, with the understanding that the prosecutor would be dismissing all the
other counts against him and with the court’s indicated sentencing lid of five years.
Defendant was represented by counsel and completed and submitted a change of plea
form.
        The following colloquy occurred in court:

               “THE COURT: [Defendant], did you hear and understand
        everything that was stated as far as the plea agreement?

               “[DEFENDANT]: Yes, sir.

               “THE COURT: Is that what you are agreeing to?

               “[DEFENDANT]: Yes. I guess.

              “THE COURT: Have you had enough time to discuss your case
        with your attorneys?

               “[DEFENDANT]: Yes.

              “THE COURT: And other than what you have just heard, has
        anyone made any threats or promises to get you to accept this plea deal?

               “[DEFENDANT]: No.

              “THE COURT: All right. I’m holding up two forms. One is purple
        and one is tan. They are the felony advisement, waiver of rights and plea

                                             3.
forms. Each has your name and one of your case numbers on it. Did you
go over these forms with your attorneys?

        “[DEFENDANT]: Yes, I did.

        “THE COURT: Did you read and understand everything on each
form?

        “[DEFENDANT]: Yes, I did.

      “THE COURT: Did you initial the boxes and sign the back of both
forms?

        “[DEFENDANT]: Yes, sir.

       “THE COURT: The front of each form lists several rights that you
have, including the right to a speedy and public trial on all charges. Did
you read and understand each of those rights?

        “[DEFENDANT]: Yes.

        “THE COURT: Do you agree to waive those rights in order to enter
into this plea?

        “[DEFENDANT]: Yes.

      “THE COURT: In addition to the rights, there is a section on each
form which is labeled consequences of your plea. Did you read and
understand each of those?

        “[DEFENDANT]: Yes.

        “THE COURT: Those include that if you are currently on
probation, parole or other supervision, a plea of no contest to any new
charges could cause you to be found in violation. [¶] Also, if you’re not a
citizen of the United States, as a result of your plea you could be deported,
excluded from admission or denied naturalization to the U.S. [¶] And
there are other direct consequences listed on the forms, including the fact
that this would be a serious or violent felony on the case in which you’re
admitting the great bodily injury. [¶] Do you have any questions about
anything I have said or anything on these forms?

        “[DEFENDANT]: No.

                                      4.
              “THE COURT: All right. Starting with the felony DUI case, which
       ends in the numbers 031, you are charged in [c]ount [1] of the complaint—
       I’m sorry, [c]ount [1] of the felony information with a violation of [Veh.
       Code section] 23153[,] subsection (f) on or about December 8th, 2020, in
       the county of Fresno. Do you understand the charge?

              “[DEFENDANT]: Yes.

              “THE COURT: What is your plea?

              “[DEFENDANT]: No contest.

               “THE COURT: And you are also charged with committing or
       inflicting great body injury as a result of that DUI pursuant to
       [section] 12022.7[,] subsection (a) on that same date. Do you admit that
       that’s true?

              “[DEFENDANT]: Yes.”
       The minute order from the hearing states: “Change of plea form signed and filed.
The change of plea form is signed and filed in open court. Court accepts the plea and
finds it was made knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily and that the plea is supported
by a factual basis (People v. West [(1970) 3 Cal.3d 595])[.]”
       Defendant filed a written motion to withdraw his plea before he was sentenced.
The motion stated defendant “claims to have been under a great amount of grief that may
have impaired his mental abilities at the time of the change of plea.” In the declaration in
support of his motion, defendant stated: “I was in a confused state of mind due to lack of
sleep over worrying about family members[’] near[-]death health issues. I was confused
and unfocused and was under the impression I would be receiving half[-]time [credits]. I
was either mistaken, or mislead, but I would not have signed that plea agreement and
would please like to have my plea withdrawn.” There was no declaration from counsel
indicating what he did or did not tell defendant regarding custody credits.
       The trial court issued a written order denying defendant’s motion to withdraw his
plea. The court found defendant’s declaration that he was “in a confused state of mind

                                             5.
due to lack of sleep over worrying about family members[’] near[-]death health issues”
was a self-serving declaration in opposition to the change of plea form he initialed and
signed. The order further noted that “Judge [Kelley] expressly found ‘defendant’s plea(s)
[was] freely and voluntarily made with an understanding of the nature and consequences
of the plea(s).’ ” And this “directly refutes [d]efendant’s basis for setting aside his plea.”
The court found defendant’s declaration not credible and Judge Kelley’s findings to be
dispositive.
       B.      Applicable Law and Standard of Review
       Section 1018 allows a trial court to grant a defendant’s application to withdraw a
guilty plea any time before judgment for good cause shown. (People v. Hunt (1985)
174 Cal.App.3d 95, 102 (Hunt); People v. Waters (1975) 52 Cal.App.3d 323, 328.) To
establish good cause, it must be shown by clear and convincing evidence that the
defendant was operating under mistake, ignorance, or any other factor overcoming the
exercise of his free judgment. (People v. Cruz (1974) 12 Cal.3d 562, 566; People v.
Nance (1991) 1 Cal.App.4th 1453, 1456 (Nance); People v. Huricks (1995)
32 Cal.App.4th 1201, 1207–1208; People v. Breslin (2012) 205 Cal.App.4th 1409, 1416.)
Other factors overcoming the defendant’s free judgment include inadvertence, fraud, or
duress. (Huricks, at p. 1208; Breslin, at p. 1416; People v. Griffin (1950)
100 Cal.App.2d 546, 548.)
       However, “[a] plea may not be withdrawn simply because the defendant has
changed his mind.” (Nance, supra, 1 Cal.App.4th at p. 1456; People v. Huricks, supra,
32 Cal.App.4th at p. 1208; In re Brown (1973) 9 Cal.3d 679, 685–686 (Brown),
disapproved and superseded by statute on other grounds in People v. Mendez (1999)
19 Cal.4th 1084, 1097–1098, fn. 7.) Furthermore, “[g]uilty pleas resulting from a bargain
should not be set aside lightly and finality of proceedings should be encouraged.” (Hunt,
supra, 174 Cal.App.3d at p. 103; People v. Urfer (1979) 94 Cal.App.3d 887, 893.)

                                              6.
       The decision to allow or refuse the withdrawal of a plea is committed to the sound
discretion of the trial court and may not be disturbed on appeal unless it is clear that the
court has abused its discretion. (People v. Wharton (1991) 53 Cal.3d 522, 585; People v.
Fairbank (1997) 16 Cal.4th 1223, 1254 [denial of a motion to withdraw a guilty plea is
reviewed for an abuse of discretion]; People v. Patterson (2017) 2 Cal.5th 885, 894
[same]; Nance, supra, 1 Cal.App.4th at p. 1456 [same].) “An abuse of discretion is found
if the court exercises discretion in an arbitrary, capricious or patently absurd manner
resulting in a manifest miscarriage of justice.” (People v. Shaw (1998) 64 Cal.App.4th
492, 496.)
       C.     Analysis
       First, defendant contends the trial court abused its discretion because it denied his
motion on the basis defendant’s plea was freely and voluntarily made, which he contends
is unsupported. Defendant argues the court did not specifically state on the record that
the plea was freely and voluntarily made.
       Among the issues that can be raised after entering a guilty plea is whether the
defendant knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently waived his or her rights in entering
the plea. (People v. Voit (2011) 200 Cal.App.4th 1353, 1364–1365; cf. People v.
Panizzon (1996) 13 Cal.4th 68, 80 (Panizzon); People v. Navarro (1966) 243 Cal.App.2d
755, 758.) For a conditional plea of guilty or no contest, the trial court is required to
“cause an inquiry to be made of the defendant to satisfy itself that the plea is freely and
voluntarily made, and that there is a factual basis for the plea.” (§ 1192.5, subd. (c);
People v. Holmes (2004) 32 Cal.4th 432, 438.) A defendant must understand the nature
of the charges, elements of offenses, pleas and defenses which may be available, and
punishment which may be expected before a trial judge accepts his waiver and plea.
(Hunt, supra, 174 Cal.App.3d at p. 103; In re Birch (1973) 10 Cal.3d 314, 319.) “While
there is no federal constitutional requirement for this factual basis inquiry, the statutory
mandate of section 1192.5 helps ensure that the ‘constitutional standards of voluntariness

                                              7.
and intelligence are met.’ (People v. Hoffard [1995] 10 Cal.4th [1170,] 1182, fn. 11.)”
(Holmes, at p. 438, fn. omitted; Voit, at p. 1365.) The inquiry also protects against an
innocent person entering a guilty plea and creates a record against possible appellate or
collateral attack. (Voit, at p. 1365; Hoffard, at p. 1183.)
       However, we see no requirement that the trial court use the specific words that it
finds the plea was freely and voluntarily made. In Panizzon, even though the court did
not admonish the defendant of his right to appeal, the waiver and plea agreement signed
by the defendant and his attorney contained the defendant’s representation that he
understood the sentence that would be imposed and the waiver of his right to appeal the
sentence. (Panizzon, supra, 13 Cal.4th at p. 84.) Both the defendant and his attorney
attested to the waiver form’s valid execution. Additionally, the in-court questioning of
the defendant and his attorney raised no doubts as to the defendant’s understanding of his
rights and the consequences of his no contest plea. Under these circumstances, the court
was satisfied that the defendant’s waiver of the right to appeal the bargained sentence was
knowing, intelligent, and voluntary despite the absence of a specific admonishment by
the trial court. (Ibid.; People v. Castrillon (1991) 227 Cal.App.3d 718, 722; cf. In re
Ibarra (1983) 34 Cal.3d 277, 284–286, overruled on other grounds by People v. Howard
(1992) 1 Cal.4th 1132, 1175–1178.) Here, the record is even clearer because the court
did advise defendant of his rights and the consequences of his plea, defendant understood
those rights, and waived them. Additionally, defendant agreed that he went through the
change of plea form with his attorney and initialed and executed the form. Defendant
indicated he had enough time to talk with his attorney, understood what he was doing,
and had no questions for the court. Consequently, the record demonstrates that
defendant’s change of plea was knowing, intelligent, and voluntary.
       Defendant cites to People v. Roles (2020) 44 Cal.App.5th 935, which does not
support his argument that there must be a specific statement on the record that the court
found the plea to be knowing, intelligent and voluntary. In Roles, even though the trial

                                              8.
court failed to advise the defendant of specific aspects of the right to a jury trial, it found
the totality of the circumstances demonstrated that the defendant entered a knowing and
intelligent waiver. (Roles, at p. 950.) “The record show[ed] [the] defendant and his
counsel had ‘extensive conversation[s]’ about court and jury trials. During the waiver
inquiry, defense counsel asked the defendant if they spoke about the waiver ‘a number of
times,’ and the defendant responded, ‘Yes.’ ” (Ibid.) Here, again, the record shows the
court did advise defendant of his rights and consequences of his plea. The court
confirmed that defendant had enough time to speak with his attorney, that he went over
the change of plea forms with his attorney, and understood his rights that he was giving
up. The court also made sure defendant understood the direct consequences of his plea
and defendant affirmed that he did not have any questions. And the fact that the minute
order indicates that the plea was knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently made only
reinforces that the court did in fact find the plea was knowingly, voluntarily and
intelligently made.2 Therefore, the totality of the circumstances demonstrates that
defendant’s change of plea and waiver of rights were knowing, voluntary and intelligent.
(See ibid.)
       We note that in People v. Urfer, supra, 94 Cal.App.3d 887, even when a defendant
entered his plea “unwillingly” and with “ ‘reluctance,’ ” yielding to his counsel’s
“ ‘persuasions and prejudices,’ ” the court concluded that “such state of mind is not
synonymous with an involuntary act,” nor a “ ‘factor overreaching defendant’s free and
clear judgment.’ ” (Id. at p. 892.) The Urfer court held that the trial court acted within
its discretion in denying the motion to withdraw. (Id. at p. 893.) Therefore, even though
defendant here claims he was in a confused state of mind worrying about family
members’ near-death health issues, this is not considered a factor “overreaching

2      Defendant’s argument that the minute order cannot be used to correct judicial
errors does not apply here where there is no error and the written record supports the oral
record.

                                               9.
defendant’s free and clear judgment.” (Id. at p. 892.) And does not render defendant’s
change of plea unknowing, involuntary, and unintelligent.
       Second, we conclude the record does not demonstrate the trial court abused its
discretion in concluding defendant lacked good cause to withdraw his plea. Defendant
claims he was misadvised by at least one of his attorneys that he would be agreeing to
half-time credits and “the likelihood of inadequate advisement was increased by the fact
that four different attorneys appeared with [defendant] over four months.” He argues that
had he known that he was not receiving half-time credits he would not have signed the
plea agreement.3 However, as defendant acknowledges, the Supreme Court has held that
limitations on custody credits is considered a collateral, rather than a direct, consequence
of a plea. (People v. Barella (1999) 20 Cal.4th 261, 270.) The court is not required to
advise a defendant of the indirect consequences of a guilty plea, including parole
eligibility date or statutory credit limitation. (Id. at pp. 263, 272 [a trial court is not
required to inform a defendant, when accepting a plea, on limits to good-time or
work-time credits that may result from the plea.].) Accordingly, defendant’s regret over
entering into his plea agreement because of his misunderstanding of the collateral
consequence regarding credits is not grounds for granting a motion to withdraw his plea.
(See Nance, supra, 1 Cal.App.4th at p. 1456 [“A plea may not be withdrawn simply
because the defendant has changed his mind.”]; Brown, supra, 9 Cal.3d at p. 686.)
       Further, even considering defendant’s argument that his attorney misled him into
thinking he would be receiving half-time credits, other than defendant’s self-serving
declaration, the record lacks clear and convincing evidence in support of this claim.
(See People v. Cruz, supra, 12 Cal.3d at p. 566; Nance, supra, 1 Cal.App.4th at p. 1456.)
Here, when the court asked defendant if anyone made any promises to get him to accept

3      Defendant makes it clear in his brief that he is not raising an ineffective assistance
of counsel claim.

                                               10.
the plea, he responded, “No.” Also, the record fails to show what defense counsel told
defendant regarding collateral consequences or custody credits in general. Defendant’s
self-serving, bare assertion is insufficient to demonstrate the court abused its discretion in
denying his motion to withdraw his plea. (See Brown, supra, 9 Cal.3d at pp. 685–686
[no abuse of discretion in denying a motion to withdraw plea on bare assertions];
cf., People v. Vivar (2021) 11 Cal.5th 510, 529–530 [a defendant’s bare allegation that he
or she would not have accepted a plea absent a mistaken understanding of its
consequences is insufficient to establish prejudice].)
       Accordingly, we conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying
defendant’s motion to withdraw his plea. (See People v. Wharton, supra, 53 Cal.3d at
p. 585 [court’s ruling will not be disturbed on appeal unless it is clear that the trial court
abused its discretion]; People v. Fairbank, supra, 16 Cal.4th at p. 1254 [same].)
                                           DISPOSITION
       We affirm the judgment.

                                              11.