Simpson v. State, No. 24196
| Court | United States State Supreme Court of South Carolina |
| Writing for the Court | WALLER; CHANDLER |
| Citation | 455 S.E.2d 175,317 S.C. 506 |
| Parties | Jack SIMPSON, Jr., Respondent, v. STATE of South Carolina, Petitioner. |
| Decision Date | 13 February 1995 |
| Docket Number | No. 24196 |
Page 175
v.
STATE of South Carolina, Petitioner.
Decided Feb. 13, 1995.
Page 176
Atty. Gen. T. Travis Medlock, Deputy Atty. Gen. J. Emory Smith, Jr., Asst. Atty. Gen. Teresa Nesbitt Cosby, and Staff Atty. David K. Avant, Columbia, for petitioner.
Deputy Chief Atty. Joseph L. Savitz, III, South Carolina Office of Appellate Defense, Columbia, for respondent.
WALLER, Judge:
We granted certiorari to review the grant of post-conviction relief (PCR) to respondent, Jack Simpson, Jr. We reverse.
Simpson entered an Alford 1 plea of guilty but mentally ill to, inter alia, first degree burglary. He took no direct appeal, but sought post-conviction relief (PCR) on the ground the plea was involuntary as it was entered upon the mistaken belief that he was pleading to second degree, rather than first degree, burglary. The PCR court agreed and vacated the plea.
Was Simpson's plea voluntarily entered?
The State contends Simpson knowingly and voluntarily entered a plea to first degree burglary such that there is no probative evidence to support the conclusion of the PCR judge. We agree.
To knowingly and voluntarily enter a plea of guilty, all that is required is that a defendant have a full understanding of the consequences of his plea and of the charges against him. Dover v. State, 304 S.C. 433, 405 S.E.2d 391 (1991). In determining guilty plea issues, it is proper to consider the guilty plea transcript as well as evidence at the PCR hearing. Harres v. Leeke, 282 S.C. 131, 318 S.E.2d 360 (1984).
Here, Simpson's indictment reflects a charge of first degree burglary. The back of the indictment contains a handwritten "Plea of Guilt", signed by Simpson, which reflects a charge of second degree burglary. However, after Simpson signed the plea, the Solicitor advised the Court, in Simpson's presence, that he was pleading guilty to first degree burglary. The trial court then specifically informed Simpson of the penalty for first degree burglary, to which he responded he wished to enter an Alford plea to first degree burglary. 2 It is manifest from the record that Simpson was fully cognizant his plea was to first degree burglary.
The PCR court nonetheless found the signing of "an incorrect plea is the equivalent of not signing a plea at all and, thus, the conviction based on said plea cannot stand." This was...
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Pierce v. State, No. 25043.
...S.E.2d 378 (1996). Furthermore, we will reverse the PCR judge's decision when it is controlled by an error of law. See Simpson v. State, 317 S.C. 506, 455 S.E.2d 175 (1995) (reversing grant of PCR where judge, who erroneously believed guilty plea had to be acknowledged by defendant in writi......
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In Interest of Arisha KS, No. 2845.
...of guilty is that a defendant have a full understanding of the consequences of his plea and of the charges against him. Simpson v. State, 317 S.C. 506, 455 S.E.2d 175 (1995). The United States Supreme Court has placed significant emphasis on the rights of juveniles. Over thirty years ago, t......
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Roscoe v. State, No. 25287.
...of the consequences of his plea and of the charges against him, Smith v. State, 329 S.C. 280, 494 S.E.2d 626 (1997); Simpson v. State, 317 S.C. 506, 455 S.E.2d 175 (1995); Dover v. State, 304 S.C. 433, 405 S.E.2d 391 (1991), the defendant must also demonstrate prejudice to be entitled to re......
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State v. Rikard, No. 4156.
...is required is that a defendant has a full understanding of the consequences of her plea and the charges against her. Simpson v. State, 317 S.C. 506, 508, 455 S.E.2d 175, 176 (1995). Moreover, the record in a guilty plea proceeding must establish a factual basis for the plea. LoPiano v. Sta......
-
Pierce v. State, No. 25043.
...S.E.2d 378 (1996). Furthermore, we will reverse the PCR judge's decision when it is controlled by an error of law. See Simpson v. State, 317 S.C. 506, 455 S.E.2d 175 (1995) (reversing grant of PCR where judge, who erroneously believed guilty plea had to be acknowledged by defendant in writi......
-
In Interest of Arisha KS, No. 2845.
...of guilty is that a defendant have a full understanding of the consequences of his plea and of the charges against him. Simpson v. State, 317 S.C. 506, 455 S.E.2d 175 (1995). The United States Supreme Court has placed significant emphasis on the rights of juveniles. Over thirty years ago, t......
-
Roscoe v. State, No. 25287.
...of the consequences of his plea and of the charges against him, Smith v. State, 329 S.C. 280, 494 S.E.2d 626 (1997); Simpson v. State, 317 S.C. 506, 455 S.E.2d 175 (1995); Dover v. State, 304 S.C. 433, 405 S.E.2d 391 (1991), the defendant must also demonstrate prejudice to be entitled to re......
-
State v. Rikard, No. 4156.
...is required is that a defendant has a full understanding of the consequences of her plea and the charges against her. Simpson v. State, 317 S.C. 506, 508, 455 S.E.2d 175, 176 (1995). Moreover, the record in a guilty plea proceeding must establish a factual basis for the plea. LoPiano v. Sta......