Court Opinion

ID: 9533723
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 04:34:09.555351+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:29:08.773566
License: Public Domain

MR. JUSTICE DOOLEY, also dissenting: This is another incident in the long list of injustices resulting from improper judicial interference in the plea-bargaining process. The realities of the situation must be recognized. The court encouraged defendant’s counsel to participate in plea-bargaining discussion with the State’s Attorney. The court went so far as to state that in “90-95%” of the cases he followed the recommended disposition. To the average man this was in effect a representation that he always followed what was recommended. An agreement to serve 18 to 54 months was reached between the People and defendant’s counsel in consideration for defendant’s waiver of substantial rights. True, the court, prior to sentencing, went through the ritual of admonition required by law. That the defendant regarded this as a mere, formality is obvious from his failure to respond until directed to do so by the court. After stating “I don’t like to do that” and “I have not done it before,” referring to rejecting the plea agreement, the court gave the defendant 6 to 20 years — almost five times the penalty under discussion. There exists a great gulf between the relative position of the court and the defendant entering a plea of guilty. This in itself is a compelling reason why the court’s conduct must be above reproach. Certainly, defendant and his counsel had a right to assume the judge was a gentleman of his word. No doubt, his representation induced the plea of guilty. The Chief Justice’s description of the conduct of the court is more than charitable, when he calls it “indiscreet.” We agree this was error of such magnitude as to taint the subsequent proceedings. Simple justice dictates the reversal of this judgment and sentence, with directions that defendant be given leave to withdraw his plea of guilty and that the cause be assigned to a different judge.