Court Opinion

ID: 9515635
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-06 22:58:47.049788+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:06:31.568876
License: Public Domain

SABERS, Justice.
[¶ 1.] Cornell McBride appeals the denial of habeas relief contending he received ineffective assistance of counsel based on counsel’s failure to consult with him concerning the possibility of a direct appeal following his guilty plea to aggravated assault. We reverse and remand.
FACTS
[¶ 2.] McBride engaged in a pattern of domestic violence against his girlfriend. This culminated in a vicious beating and stabbing that left her seriously injured. McBride was indicted for aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault-physical menace, three counts of simple assault, grand theft, stalking and a part II information was also filed. Pursuant to a plea agreement, McBride entered a guilty plea to aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon. The plea agreement was “open” and McBride was aware his sentence could be up to a maximum of fifteen years in the penitentiary. McBride expressed concerns to his counsel about having to serve fifteen years in the penitentiary. After discussing the plea agreement and the exposure he faced for the charges, he agreed to accept the plea agreement. Counsel also discussed the possibility of a suspended sentence and although she indicated it was unlikely she argued for it at sentencing. The State advocated for the maximum term of imprisonment under the plea agreement and the circuit court sentenced McBride to fifteen years in the penitentiary. The sentencing judge did not inform McBride of his right to appeal.1
*529[¶ 3.] Immediately after sentencing, McBride met with his attorney in the hallway outside the courtroom. Counsel testified that she briefly discussed the right to appeal with McBride and her notes reflected that she advised him of this right and that there were no issues for appeal. Counsel also testified that she and McBride were both emotional following the sentencing. She did not inform McBride he could challenge the sentence imposed. Counsel also never asked McBride if he wished to appeal. McBride testified that he had no recollection of any discussion concerning a right to appeal and it was his understanding that he could not appeal following a guilty plea. Both agree that the conversation following sentencing focused on seeking a reduction of sentence through a subsequent motion. The entire extent of this conversation was less than ten minutes. Thereafter, McBride sent a series of letters to counsel inquiring about having his sentence modified. Although counsel sent McBride a copy of the written judgment there were no further discussions concerning his right to appeal until thirteen months later when McBride asked counsel what he needed to do to file an appeal. This was after the motion to modify the sentence was denied.
[¶4.] McBride filed a habeas corpus action contending he received ineffective assistance of counsel based on counsel’s failure to adequately consult with him concerning his right to a direct appeal from the sentence imposed. McBride claims he would have appealed if he had been adequately advised of that right. The habeas court found that counsel did not adequately consult with McBride concerning the appeal. That finding is not challenged on appeal. Although the habeas court found that “McBride admits he never told [counsel] he wished to appeal,” the record demonstrates that counsel informed McBride he did not have any issues for appeal and counsel never asked him if he wished to appeal. McBride indicated he was not aware he had a right to appeal following his guilty plea and he provided no specific instructions to counsel concerning an appeal.
[¶ 5.] The habeas court found McBride had not identified an appealable issue and “that counsel was not constitutionally required to consult because [counsel] believed there were no nonfrivolous grounds for appeal.” Therefore, under the circumstances and in the absence of a specific request to appeal, the habeas court determined McBride did not receive ineffective assistance of counsel. The habeas court denied relief and also a certificate of probable cause to appeal this issue. Because this Court has not previously addressed counsel’s duty to consult with a client concerning the right to appeal as articulated by the United States Supreme Court in Roe v. Flores-Ortega, 528 U.S. 470, 120 S.Ct. 1029, 145 L.Ed.2d 985 (2000), this Court issued a certificate of probable cause allowing appeal in this matter.
ISSUE
[¶ 6.] Whether McBride’s counsel was ineffective for failing to adequately consult with him concerning his right to direct appeal.
[¶ 7.] In Flores-Ortega, the United States Supreme Court established the paradigm for analyzing a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel based on a failure to file a notice of appeal. 528 U.S. at 477-487, 120 S.Ct. 1029. As a starting point, the Court recognized that “a lawyer who disregards specific instructions from the defendant to file a notice of appeal acts in a manner that is professionally unreasonable.” Id. at 477, 120 S.Ct. 1029. “At the other end of the spectrum, a defendant who explicitly tells his attorney not to file *530an appeal plainly cannot later complain that, by following his instructions, his counsel performed deficiently.” Id. As in Flores-Ortega, the question presented by this case falls between these two situations.
In those cases where the defendant neither instructs counsel to file an appeal nor asks that an appeal not be taken, we believe the question whether counsel has performed deficiently by not filing a notice of appeal is best answered by first asking a separate, but antecedent, question: whether counsel in fact consulted with the defendant about an appeal. We employ the term “consult” to convey a specific meaning-advising the defendant about the advantages and disadvantages of taking an appeal, and making a reasonable effort to discover the defendant’s wishes. If counsel has consulted with the defendant, the question of deficient performance is easily answered: Counsel performs in a professionally unreasonable manner only by failing to follow the defendant’s express instructions with respect to an appeal. If counsel has not consulted with the defendant, the court must in turn ask a second, and subsidiary, question: whether counsel’s failure to consult with the defendant itself constitutes deficient performance. That question lies at the heart of this case: Under what circumstances does counsel have an obligation to consult with the defendant about an appeal?
Id. at 478,120 S.Ct. 1029. Further,
We cannot say, as a constitutional matter, that in every case counsel’s failure to consult with the defendant about an appeal is necessarily unreasonable, and therefore deficient. Such a holding would be inconsistent with both our decision in Strickland and common sense. For example, suppose that a defendant consults with counsel; counsel advises the defendant that a guilty plea probably will lead to a 2 year sentence; the defendant expresses satisfaction and pleads guilty; the court sentences the defendant to 2 years’ imprisonment as expected and informs the defendant of his appeal rights; the defendant does not express any interest in appealing, and counsel concludes that there are no nonfrivolous grounds for appeal. Under these circumstances, it would be difficult to say that counsel is “professionally unreasonable,” as a constitutional matter, in not consulting with such a defendant regarding an appeal. Or, for example, suppose a sentencing court’s instructions to a defendant about his appeal rights in a particular case are so clear and informative as to substitute for counsel’s duty to consult. In some cases, counsel might then reasonably decide that he need not repeat that information. We therefore reject a bright-line rule that counsel must always consult with the defendant regarding an appeal.
We instead hold that counsel has a constitutionally imposed duty to consult with the defendant about an appeal when there is reason to think either (1) that a rational defendant would want to appeal (for example, because there are nonfrivolous grounds for appeal), or (2) that this particular defendant reasonably demonstrated to counsel that he was interested in appealing. In making this determination, courts must take into account all the information counsel knew or should have known. Although not determinative, a highly relevant factor in this inquiry will be whether the conviction follows a trial or a guilty plea, both because a guilty plea reduces the scope of potentially appealable issues and because such a plea may indicate that the defendant seeks an end to judicial proceedings. Even in cases when the de*531fendant pleads guilty, the court must consider such factors as whether the defendant received the sentence bargained for as part of the plea and whether the plea expressly reserved or waived some or all appeal rights. Only by considering all relevant factors in a given case can a court properly determine whether a rational defendant would have desired an appeal or that the particular defendant sufficiently demonstrated to counsel an interest in an appeal.
Id. at 479-80, 120 S.Ct. 1029 (citations omitted). Concerning a defendant’s need to establish prejudice if a duty to consult existed, the Supreme Court stated:
In some cases, however, the defendant alleges not that counsel made specific errors in the course of representation, but rather that during the judicial proceeding he was-either actually or constructively-denied the assistance of counsel altogether. “The presumption that counsel’s assistance is essential requires us to conclude that a trial is unfair if the accused is denied counsel at a critical stage.” United States v. Cronic, 466 U.S. 648, 659[, 104 S.Ct. 2039, 80 L.Ed.2d 657] (1984). The same is true on appeal. See Penson v. Ohio, 488 U.S. 75, 88[, 109 S.Ct. 346, 102 L.Ed.2d 300] (1988). Under such circumstances, “[n]o specific showing of prejudice [is] required,” because “the adversary process itself [is] presumptively unreliable.” Cronic, supra, at 659[, 104 S.Ct. 2039]; see also Smith v. Robbins, 528 U.S. 259, 286[, 120 S.Ct. 746, 145 L.Ed.2d 756] (2000) (“denial of counsel altogether ... warrants a presumption of prejudice”); Penson, supra, at 88-89[, 109 S.Ct. 346] (complete denial of counsel on appeal requires a presumption of prejudice). Today’s case is unusual in that counsel’s alleged deficient performance arguably led not to a judicial proceeding of disputed reliability, but rather to the forfeiture of a proceeding itself. According to respondent, counsel’s deficient performance deprived him of a notice of appeal and, hence, an appeal altogether. Assuming those allegations are true, counsel’s deficient performance has deprived respondent of more than a fair judicial proceeding; that deficiency deprived respondent of the appellate proceeding altogether. In Cronic, Penson, and Robbins, we held that the complete denial of counsel during a critical stage of a judicial proceeding mandates a presumption of prejudice because “the adversary process itself’ has been rendered “presumptively unreliable.” Cronic, supra, at 659[, 104 S.Ct. 2039]. The even more serious denial of the entire judicial proceeding itself, which a defendant wanted at the time and to which he had a right, similarly demands a presumption of prejudice. Put simply, we cannot accord any “ ‘presumption of reliability,’ ” Robbins, at 286[, 120 S.Ct. 746], to judicial proceedings that never took place.
Id. at 483, 120 S.Ct. 1029. As a result, the Supreme Court held that “to show prejudice in these circumstances, a defendant must demonstrate that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s deficient failure to consult with him about an appeal, he would have timely appealed.” Id. at 484, 120 S.Ct. 1029. Significantly, the Supreme Court rejected “any requirement that the would-be appellant ‘specify the points he would raise were his right to appeal reinstated.’ ” Id. at 485, 120 S.Ct. 1029 (quoting Rodriquez v. United States, 395 U.S. 327, 330, 89 S.Ct. 1715, 23 L.Ed.2d 340 (1969)). The Supreme Court stated that by not requiring a defendant to demonstrate meritorious issues to have his appeal reinstated allowed him to “be treated like any other appellant.” Id. See also Whiteman v. State, 643 N.W.2d 704, 709 (N.D.2002) (“[C]ourts routinely have held *532Flores-Ortega thus establishes that an indigent, perhaps pro se defendant, even if he pled guilty, cannot be required to demonstrate how his appeal would have been successful in order to establish that he was prejudiced by his attorney’s failure to pursue a requested appeal.”).
[¶ 8.] Because the habeas court found that counsel did not adequately consult with McBride concerning an appeal, the question becomes whether counsel was constitutionally deficient in failing to do so. Consult means “advising the defendant about the advantages and disadvantages of taking an appeal and making a reasonable effort to discover the defendant’s wishes.” Flores-Ortega, 528 U.S. at 478, 120 S.Ct. 1029. Counsel should also inform a defendant that he is obligated to file an appeal if that is what the defendant requests. Thompson v. United States, 504 F.3d 1203, 1207 (11th Cir.2007).2 “[Ajdequate consultation requires informing a client about his right to appeal, advising the client about the advantages and disadvantages of taking an appeal, and making a reasonable effort to determine whether the client wishes to pursue an appeal, regardless of the merits of such an appeal.” Id. at 1206 (citing Frazer v. South Carolina, 430 F.3d 696, 711 (4th Cir.2005)).
[¶ 9.] As articulated above, a duty to consult arises when “(1) a rational defendant would want to appeal (for example, because there are non-frivolous grounds for appeal), or (2) that this particular defendant reasonably demonstrated to counsel that he was interested in appealing.” Flores-Ortega, 528 U.S. at 480, 120 S.Ct. 1029. “This inquiry is informed by several ‘highly relevant’ factors, including: whether the conviction follows a guilty plea, whether the defendant received the sentence he bargained for, and ‘whether the plea expressly ... waived some or all appeal rights.’ ” Otero v. United States, 499 F.3d 1267, 1270 (11th Cir.2007) (quoting Flores-Ortega, 528 U.S. at 480, 120 S.Ct. 1029). Other factors include the duration of the consultation, Thompson, 504 F.3d at 1207, the content of the exchange, see id., and whether the court has adequately informed a defendant of his right to appeal, Flores-Ortega, 528 U.S. at 479-80, 120 S.Ct. 1029.
[¶ 10.] Applying the test as articulated in Flores-Ortega, the habeas court focused almost exclusively on the first prong: whether “a rational defendant would want to appeal (for example, because there are non-frivolous grounds for appeal).” The habeas court understandably denied relief under that prong because of its objective focus on the rational defendant. McBride entered into a plea agreement by which he reduced his maximum exposure to fifteen years, the sentence that he received. This sentence should have been objectively expected as this was a vicious crime involving the beating and stabbing of a victim evolving from a pattern of domestic violence. McBride also has not identified non-frivolous grounds for appeal. Nevertheless, that is only part of the inquiry in determining if a duty to consult existed.
[¶ 11.] The second prong of the Flores-Ortega test requires a court to alternatively determine if “this particular defendant reasonably demonstrated to counsel that he was interested in appealing.” Although the habeas court found McBride did not satisfy this second prong based on its finding that he admitted he never told counsel he wished to appeal, the question is whether McBride “reasonably demonstrated” an *533interest in appealing thus triggering a duty to consult. McBride’s failure to specifically request an appeal does not end the inquiry or foreclose relief because McBride was informed by counsel that he had no issues to appeal. Further, counsel did not inform McBride he could appeal the sentence and never asked him if he wished to appeal. As the habeas court recognized, this was not an adequate consultation allowing him to make an informed decision. Therefore, the habeas court erred in focusing on McBride’s failure to specifically assert his right to appeal, a right his attorney advised was essentially unavailable and a right McBride testified he did not realize he possessed. Under these circumstances, resolving the second prong on a finding that McBride failed to request an appeal would be entirely circular and inconsistent with Flores-Ortega.
[¶ 12.] Based on the record, McBride reasonably demonstrated to counsel that he was interested in contesting (appealing) his sentence, and therefore, counsel was deficient in failing to consult with him concerning his right to appeal. It is clear that McBride expressed dissatisfaction with his sentence almost immediately. Counsel and McBride were emotional during their brief exchange following sentencing because the sentence was more severe than expected. Rather than discussing the appeal option, counsel’s discussion was limited to modifying the sentence. McBride thereafter persistently maintained contact with his attorney concerning the motion to modify and what could be done to reduce his sentence. Although it was not statutorily required, it is also relevant that McBride was not informed by the sentencing court of his right to appeal when considering counsel’s duty to adequately inform him of that right and ascertain his desire concerning an appeal. Counsel did not further communicate with McBride concerning his appellate rights after the judgment had been reduced to writing;3 the written judgment also did not contain an advisory as to the right to appeal. Under these circumstances, and based on the information counsel knew, or should have known, a duty arose to at least consult with McBride concerning his right to appeal.
[¶ 13.] These facts also support the reasonable probability that McBride would have exercised his right to appeal had counsel adequately consulted with him concerning that right. See Thompson, 504 F.3d at 1207-08 (holding defendant was not adequately consulted about his appeal rights when he expressed dissatisfaction with his sentence and counsel only advised him he did not believe an appeal would be successful in a brief five minute exchange); Frazer, 430 F.3d at 712 (affirming habeas relief based on defendant’s “unwavering and ongoing” interest in challenging his sentence following his guilty plea based on his discontent with the sentence imposed). McBride has therefore sufficiently demonstrated prejudice on this record.
[¶ 14.] “[W]hen counsel’s constitutionally deficient performance deprives a defendant of an appeal that he otherwise would have taken, the defendant has made out a successful ineffective assistance of counsel claim entitling him to an appeal.” Flores-Ortega, 528 U.S. at 484, 120 S.Ct. 1029. Accordingly, we reverse and re-*534mand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
[¶ 15.] GILBERTSON, Chief Justice, ZINTER and MEIERHENRY, Justices, concur.
[¶ 16.] KONENKAMP, Justice, concurs specially.

. SDCL 23A-27-3 provides that "[tjhere is no duty on. a court to advise a defendant of any right of appeal after sentence is imposed following a plea of guilty."

. As the Supreme Court has recognized, a defendant, not his attorney, "has the ultimate authority to determine whether to ... take an appeal.” Florida v. Nixon, 543 U.S. 175, 187, 125 S.Ct. 551, 160 L.Ed.2d 565 (2004).

. When reviewing a letter counsel sent to McBride summarizing the sentencing it is the absence of an advisory of the right to appeal that stands out. That letter is broken down by topic detailing the sentence McBride received, the plea agreement, the time he was to report to custody, the fine, the court costs, the attorney fees, the restitution and discussion of the motion to modify. A copy of the judgment was included. This letter was dated a few weeks after the time to appeal had expired.