State v. York, 54787

Decision Date19 September 1973
Docket NumberNo. 54787,54787
Citation210 N.W.2d 608
PartiesSTATE of Iowa, Appellee, v. James Henry YORK, Appellant.
CourtIowa Supreme Court

Stanford L. Trumbower, Des Moines, for appellant.

Richard C. Turner, Atty. Gen., C. Joseph Coleman, Jr., Asst. Atty. Gen., Robert Gottschald, Co. Atty., and Stephen A. Hall, former Co. Atty., for the State.

Submitted to MOORE, C.J., and RAWLINGS, LeGRAND, REES and UHLENHOPP, JJ.

PER CURIAM:

Defendant appeals from judgment imposing sentence following a guilty plea conviction for attempting to break and enter, in violation of Code section 708.10.

On October 2, 1970 defendant with his attorney, James Vincent, appeared before the trial court, entered a plea of guilty to attempting to break and enter, waived time for sentencing and was sentenced to a term not to exceed five years in the men's penitentiary at Fort Madison. As per defendant's request the court ordered his sentence run concurrently with his sentence from Polk County.

Defendant argues on this appeal the trial court's personal interrogation failed to disclose he understood the charge, his right to confront his accusers and the penal consequences of his plea. He further contends the court failed to determine a factual basis for his plea and that it was voluntary. His attack is based on what the record does not show rather than any actual prejudice. In other words he seeks reversal on the ground the trial court failed to comply with the guidelines set out in State v. Sisco, Iowa, 169 N.W.2d 542. We do not agree.

Stated briefly we held in Sisco that when a plea of guilty is entered the trial court must address the accused personally and by interrogation determine whether he understands the charge made, is aware of the penal consequences of the plea and that it in entered voluntarily. State v. Thomas, Iowa, 205 N.W.2d 717, 719; State v. Hackett, Iowa, 201 N.W.2d 487, 488; State v. Christensen, Iowa, 201 N.W.2d 457, 458.

The guidelines established by Sisco do not require a ritualistic or rigid formula for the court's interrogation. Meaningful compliance is the requirement. State v. Bledsoe, Iowa, 200 N.W.2d 529, 531; State v. Sisco, supra, Iowa, 169 N.W.2d 542, 548.

The trial court's interrogation might well have been in more detail but the record is sufficient to establish a meaningful compliance with the Sisco guidelines. It seems clear defendant knew the nature of the charge to which he entered his plea. The name thereof is descriptive of the offense. The...

To continue reading

Request your trial
3 cases
  • Brainard v. State
    • United States
    • Iowa Supreme Court
    • October 16, 1974
    ...responsibility. They include Michels v. Brewer, 211 N.W.2d 293 (Iowa 1973), State v. Sargent, 210 N.W.2d 656 (Iowa 1973), State v. York, 210 N.W.2d 608 (Iowa 1973), and State v. Hackett, 201 N.W.2d 487 (Iowa 1972). In Michels v. Brewer we said the extent of the trial judge's explanation and......
  • State v. Watts, 57397
    • United States
    • Iowa Supreme Court
    • January 22, 1975
    ...sufficiently descriptive of its nature to make further explanation unnecessary. State v. Sargent, Iowa, 210 N.W.2d 656, 660; State v. York, Iowa, 210 N.W.2d 608, 609. Defendant's answers to the court's many questions indicate complete understanding thereof. At the close of the interrogation......
  • State v. Bedell, 56621
    • United States
    • Iowa Supreme Court
    • August 28, 1974
    ...a record of each element at the time the plea of guilty was received. State v. Hackett, 201 N.W.2d 487, 490 (Iowa 1972); State v. York, 210 N.W.2d 608, 609 (Iowa 1973); Michels v. Brewer, 211 N.W.2d 293, 296 (Iowa II. Under the mandate given in § 793.18, The Code, we have examined the recor......

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT