Court Opinion

ID: 9856545
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 06:50:12.0472+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:39:12.845855
License: Public Domain

BISTLINE, Justice,
dissenting.
When an accused pleads guilty, monumental constitutional rights are waived. These include the right to: face one’s accusers; a jury trial; testify on one’s own behalf; have the state prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt; stand mute during the proceedings; call witnesses; appeal a conviction if there are any errors of law; and suppress illegally seized evidence. Given the importance of the rights given up, when a guilty plea is entered, trial judges scrutinize the plea to make sure the same is given knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently. E.g., State v. Colyer, 98 Idaho 32, 557 P.2d 626 (1976). Unfortunately, however, the majority fails to recognize that the withdrawal of a guilty plea prior to sentencing merely allows one to exercise the constitutional rights to which every accused is guaranteed. Instead, the Court holds that one must advance a “just reason” for the withdrawal. This is an unjustifiably high hurdle over which the defendant must jump.
The relevant inquiry should be whether the withdrawal of the plea is prejudicial to the prosecution. “Judges can and do tolerate [a] less strict standard for presentence withdrawal because the inconvenience to court and prosecution from a change of plea is usually slight compared to the interest in protecting the accused’s right to trial by jury.” Bond, Plea Bargaining and Guilty Pleas, § 7.4 at 7-11 (1983). In Georgia, one has an absolute right to withdraw a presentence plea of guilty. Hamm v. State, 123 Ga.App. 10, 179 S.E.2d 272 (1970). Michigan courts permit withdrawal with “great liberality.” People v. Price, 85 Mich.App. 57, 270 N.W.2d 707 (1978). See also McWherter v. State, 571 S.W.2d 312 (Tex.Cr.App.1978) (“liberal practice” prevails in Texas). As a general rule, moreover, “federal courts will usually permit the presentence withdrawal of a guilty plea as a matter of course.” Bond, supra, at 7-8.
I could readily agree with the Court’s result — if the prosecution had established prejudice. Prejudice might likely occur where, as here, the defendant absents himself from the state for an extended period. E.g., State v. Haynie, 186 Mont. 374, 607 P.2d 1128 (1980) (after six years had elapsed, government witnesses may have disappeared or their powers of recollection could have diminished). However, no such showing has been made in the case at bar. Presumably, then, the state can demonstrate no prejudice.
The majority is obviously blinded by the fact that appellant illegally absconded from the state for three years. Hence the refusal to let him withdraw his plea is prima facie vindictive. This is inappropriate. Available to the state is the right of filing a separate charge for his failure to appear. By focusing the inquiry on whether appellant has submitted a “just” reason for withdrawal, rather than whether the prosecution has been prejudiced, the majority emasculates the rights of the defendant in this case and all persons accused in future cases. It is not a happy day for those who *804strive for the achievement of the evenhanded administration of the criminal justice system.