Cody James FORTIN, Petitioner-Appellant, v. STATE of Idaho, Respondent.
Docket No. 43334
Court of Appeals of Idaho.
Filed: June 8, 2016
Review Denied July 25, 2016
374 P.3d 600
legal malpractice action arising from a commercial transaction. City of McCall v. Buxton, 146 Idaho 656, 664-65, 201 P.3d 629, 637-38 (2009). This is such a case. Pogue is entitled to an award of attorney fees incurred before the district court under
E. Pogue is entitled to attorney fees and costs on appeal.
Both parties request attorney fees and costs pursuant to
IV. CONCLUSION
We affirm the district court‘s grant of summary judgment in Pogue‘s favor. We reverse the district court‘s denial of Pogue‘s request for attorney fees under
Chief Justice J. JONES
Nevin, Benjamin, McKay & Bartlett, LLP, Boise; Deborah Whipple, Boise, for appellant. Dennis A. Benjamin argued.
Hon. Lawrence G. Wasden, Attorney General; Mark W. Olson, Deputy Attorney General, Boise, for respondent. Mark W. Olson argued.
Cody James Fortin appeals from the district court‘s summary dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm.
I. FACTS AND PROCEDURE
In 2009, the state charged Fortin with aggravated battery (
II. STANDARD OF REVIEW
A petition for post-conviction relief initiates a proceeding that is civil in nature.
Claims may be summarily dismissed if the petitioner‘s allegations are clearly disproven by the record of the criminal proceedings, if the petitioner has not presented evidence making a prima facie case as to each essential element of the claims, or if the petitioner‘s allegations do not justify relief as a matter of law. Kelly v. State, 149 Idaho 517, 521, 236 P.3d 1277, 1281 (2010); DeRushé v. State, 146 Idaho 599, 603, 200 P.3d 1148, 1152 (2009). Thus, summary dismissal of a claim for post-conviction relief is appropriate when the court can conclude, as a matter of law, that the petitioner is not entitled to relief even with all disputed facts construed in the petitioner‘s favor. For this reason, summary dismissal of a post-conviction petition may be appropriate even when the state does not controvert the petitioner‘s evidence. See Roman, 125 Idaho at 647, 873 P.2d at 901.
Conversely, if the petition, affidavits, and other evidence supporting the petition allege facts that, if true, would entitle the petitioner to relief, the post-conviction claim may not be summarily dismissed. Charboneau v. State, 140 Idaho 789, 792, 102 P.3d 1108, 1111 (2004); Sheahan v. State, 146 Idaho 101, 104, 190 P.3d 920, 923 (Ct.App. 2008). If a genuine issue of material fact is presented, an evidentiary hearing must be conducted to resolve the factual issues. Goodwin, 138 Idaho at 272, 61 P.3d at 629.
On appeal from an order of summary dismissal, we apply the same standards utilized by the trial courts and examine whether the petitioner‘s admissible evidence asserts facts which, if true, would entitle the petitioner to relief. Ridgley v. State, 148 Idaho 671, 675, 227 P.3d 925, 929 (2010); Sheahan, 146 Idaho at 104, 190 P.3d at 923. Over questions of law, we exercise free review. Rhoades, 148 Idaho at 250, 220 P.3d at 1069; Downing v. State, 136 Idaho 367, 370, 33 P.3d 841, 844 (Ct.App.2001).
III. ANALYSIS
Fortin argues that the district court erred in summarily dismissing his petition for post-conviction relief. He raises three issues on appeal. First, Fortin contends that the district court violated its duty to take judicial notice of the records of both the underlying and the separate criminal cases. Second, Fortin asserts that the district court‘s refusal to take judicial notice deprived him of his constitutional right of access to the courts. Third, Fortin argues that he raised a genuine issue of material fact as to whether trial counsel was ineffective in failing to advise him of the potential consequences of refusing the state‘s plea offer. We address each issue in turn.
A. Judicial Notice
Fortin filed a motion requesting the district court take judicial notice of “the entire underlying district court and appellate records” in his aggravated battery case and subsequent appellate case, as well as the companion aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer case. Fortin‘s motion requested the district court to also take notice of “all appendices, exhibits, and attachments thereto for the purpose of these proceedings.” In its order,2 the district court denied Fortin‘s “blanket request” for judicial notice, ruling:
Additionally, the Court will deny the motion to take judicial notice of the entire files of both underlying cases [the aggravated battery and aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer]. In the Court‘s view, the proper procedure is for the Court
to take note of specific matters that are part of the files. These items must be made a part of the record in this case. The Court will take judicial [notice] of those items in the underlying files that are made a part of this file.
On appeal Fortin contends that his request for judicial notice was not a blanket request and was sufficiently specific under
A court‘s decision to take judicial notice of an adjudicative fact is a determination that is evidentiary in nature and is governed by the
The plain language of
Fortin argues that Taylor is not controlling and attempts to distinguish the judicial request in Taylor from his own. Fortin contends that requesting a court to notice the entire record of multiple cases and appellate records is specific enough under the rule. Such an interpretation would burden courts, especially within the post-conviction context, and unnecessarily require courts to sift through large amounts of superfluous information in order to seek out relevant information that substantiates the party‘s claims. Rather, the party is in the best position to identify and refer the court to the relevant portions of the record that support his or her arguments. After this issue was discussed by the Idaho Appellate Rules Advisory Committee,
In this case, Fortin filed a pro se motion requesting that the district court take judicial notice of the entire underlying record of two cases and an appellate record. Fortin did not specifically identify any particular document or item within those files, nor did he provide copies of any documents to the court or to the state. The district court denied Fortin‘s motion noting the need for specificity. Despite having notice of his deficient request for judicial notice, Fortin failed to subsequently amend his motion to comply with
B. Access to the Courts
Fortin argues in his initial appellant‘s brief that his constitutional right to access the courts was violated by the district court when it failed to take the judicial notice as requested, thereby depriving him of a record on appeal sufficient for adequate appellate review.3 Noting that Fortin failed to raise any such objection or allege any constitutional deprivation below, the state argues that Fortin did not preserve the argument for appeal and failed to allege, let alone show, fundamental error. In his reply brief, Fortin reframed his constitutional deprivation argument in order to allege fundamental error. At oral argument, Fortin deviated from his previous argument regarding the applicability of fundamental error analysis in this context. Instead Fortin emphasized that the alleged deprivation demonstrated that the district court‘s denial of Fortin‘s request for judicial notice could not constitute harmless error. Regardless of the posture of Fortin‘s constitutional deprivation argument, we hold that it is without merit.
Given our holding that the district court did not err in denying Fortin‘s motion for judicial notice, to prevail on appeal, Fortin must demonstrate that
Fortin alleges the district court denied him access to the courts by refusing to take judicial notice as he requested. Even presuming Fortin‘s claim is a proper access to the courts challenge, we note that Idaho‘s Uniform Post-Conviction Procedure Act provided Fortin both the opportunity and capability to challenge his conviction and sentence in the courts. Upon filing his petition, Fortin had the opportunity to develop a record sufficient to support his post-conviction claims by requesting the district court take judicial notice of specific documents or items within the desired case files. Additionally, he or his attorney could have provided copies of the desired documents. However, because Fortin failed to follow the requirements of
Fortin also seems to imply that the state deprived him of his constitutional right of access to the courts. Citing both statutory and decisional law, Fortin asserts that the state was required to provide him a record, both below and on appeal, sufficient for adequate appellate review.
Notably, Draper and Strand dealt with the absence of a record in a criminal case. Even if we assume without deciding that the same rationale would apply to a post-conviction case, Fortin has not shown a statutory or constitutional violation. In this case, the state filed a motion requesting that the district court take judicial notice of ten specific documents related to both the underlying and separate criminal cases. The state attached all the referenced documents except the specified transcripts, to which the record suggests the district court had access. As previously noted, it is implied from the record that the district court granted the state‘s motion and the documents were made part of the record. Fortin has not shown that he raised any objection to the state‘s request. Nor has Fortin demonstrated a deficiency in the state‘s request, what required items were omitted, or that the alleged omitted items were necessary for adequate appellate review. Accordingly, we hold that Fortin has failed to show that the state violated its duty under the either the statutory or constitutional standard.
C. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
Fortin argues that summary dismissal of his petition was inappropriate because a genuine issue of material fact exists with respect to his ineffective assistance of trial counsel claim arising out of trial counsel‘s advice during the plea bargaining stage of the underlying case. Fortin alleges that the state‘s plea offer provided a joint resolu- tion
The Sixth Amendment right to effective assistance of counsel extends to the plea bargaining process. Missouri v. Frye, 566 U.S. 133, 132 S.Ct. 1399, 1405, 182 L.Ed.2d 379, 387, 387-88 (2012); Hoffman v. State, 153 Idaho 898, 907, 277 P.3d 1050, 1059 (Ct.App.2012). A claim of ineffective assistance of counsel may properly be brought under the Uniform Post-Conviction Procedure Act. Murray, 121 Idaho at 924-25, 828 P.2d at 1329-30. To prevail on an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, the petitioner must show that the attorney‘s performance was deficient and that the petitioner was prejudiced by the deficiency. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687-88, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 2064-65, 80 L.Ed.2d 674, 693-94 (1984); Hassett v. State, 127 Idaho 313, 316, 900 P.2d 221, 224 (Ct.App.1995). To establish a deficiency, the petitioner has the burden of showing that the attorney‘s representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness. Aragon v. State, 114 Idaho 758, 760, 760 P.2d 1174, 1176 (1988). To establish prejudice, the petitioner must show a reasonable probability that, but for the attorney‘s deficient performance, the outcome of the trial would have been different. Id. at 761, 760 P.2d at 1177. This Court has long adhered to the proposition that tactical or strategic decisions of trial counsel will not be second-guessed on appeal unless those decisions are based on inadequate preparation, ignorance of relevant law, or other shortcomings capable of objective evaluation. Howard v. State, 126 Idaho 231, 233, 880 P.2d 261, 263 (Ct.App.1994).
Fortin argues that counsel was deficient by failing to provide adequate information regarding the potential consequences of rejecting the state‘s plea offer and proceeding to trial. Although the state relies, in part, on arguments raised below concerning the alleged deficiency, on appeal the state focuses its argument on Fortin‘s inability to show prejudice. Likewise, in summarily dismissing Fortin‘s petition, the district court did not directly address whether the conduct of Fortin‘s trial counsel was deficient and, instead, ruled based solely on prejudice. Accordingly, and given the disposition of this case, we constrain our review to the issue of whether Fortin has satisfied Strickland‘s prejudice prong.
Fortin argues that, despite the lack of record due to the district court‘s denial of his motion requesting judicial notice, the pleadings raise an issue of material fact that he was prejudiced by his counsel‘s failure to explain the consequences of rejecting the plea agreement.4 We note at the outset that Fortin does not specify what consequences counsel failed to advise him about. Although Fortin references that he was convicted of additional and more serious charges by proceeding to trial, under the circumstances of this case, such convictions cannot serve as the basis for our prejudice analysis because Fortin was aware of the charges he faced in both criminal cases prior to any advice from counsel. Fortin would have been aware that, if he did not accept the plea offer, he could possibly be convicted of the additional charges at trial. Rather, as was addressed by the district court, the relevant consequence at issue is that Fortin potentially faced consecutively imposed sentences if he went to trial and was found guilty.
The Supreme Court of the United States has addressed ineffective assistance of counsel claims within the context of plea negotiations. See Lafler v. Cooper, 566 U.S. 156, 132 S.Ct. 1376, 182 L.Ed.2d 398 (2012); Frye, 566 U.S. 133, 132 S.Ct. 1399, 182 L.Ed.2d 379. In Lafler, defense counsel erroneously advised the defendant that the prosecution could not prove a required element of the charged offense. Lafler, 566 U.S. 156, 132 S.Ct. at 1383, 182 L.Ed.2d at 405-06. The defendant rejected two plea offers and proceeded to trial based on his counsel‘s advice. He was subsequently convicted of all counts and received a less favorable sentence than he would have under the plea offers. On appeal, the parties conceded that defense counsel was indeed ineffective. Id. at 1384, 182 L.Ed.2d at 406-07. Thus, the Court focused on the prejudice prong of the Strickland analysis and explained that, to establish prejudice, the petitioner must show a reasonable probability that, but for the attorney‘s deficient performance, the outcome of the plea process would have been different with competent advice. Lafler, 566 U.S. 156, 132 S.Ct. at 1384, 182 L.Ed.2d at 406-07. The Court elaborated that, “if a plea bargain has been offered, . . . prejudice can be shown if loss of the plea opportunity led to a trial resulting in a conviction on more serious charges or the imposition of a more severe sentence.” Id. at 1387, 182 L.Ed.2d at 409-10. Specifically, where alleged deficient advice led to the plea offer‘s rejection, the petitioner is required to show that, but for the ineffective advice of counsel, there is a reasonable probability that: (1) the plea offer would have been presented to the court (i.e., that the defendant would have accepted the plea and the prosecution would not have withdrawn it in light of intervening circumstances); (2) the court would have accepted its terms; and (3) the conviction or sentence, or both, under the offer‘s terms would have been less severe than under the judgment and sentence that in fact were imposed. Id. at 1385, 182 L.Ed.2d at 407-08. In applying this standard, the Court held that the petitioner had shown a reasonable probability, that but for counsel‘s deficient performance, he and the trial court would have accepted the plea offer. Id. at 1391, 182 L.Ed.2d at 413-14.
On appeal, the state does not challenge Fortin‘s assertions that, but for his counsel‘s advice, he would have accepted the plea agreement and that the terms of the alleged plea agreement were less severe than the sentence ultimately imposed. Consequently, our analysis focuses on whether the district court would have accepted the alleged plea agreement if it had been presented. In this regard, the Court‘s opinion in Frye, 566 U.S. 133, 132 S.Ct. 1399, 182 L.Ed.2d 379, is instructive.
In Frye, the defendant entered a guilty plea without an underlying plea agreement and later discovered that the prosecutor had made a written plea offer to defense counsel that was more lenient than the sentence the defendant received as a result of his guilty plea. Id. at 1404, 182 L.Ed.2d at 386-87. Defense counsel never notified the defendant of the plea offer before it had expired. The Court held that the defendant‘s counsel provided ineffective assistance based on the general rule that “defense counsel has the duty to communicate formal offers from the prosecution to accept a plea on terms and conditions that may be favorable to the accused.” Id. at 1408, 182 L.Ed.2d at 390-91. In its analysis, the Court echoed the three-part test for prejudice announced in Lafler, but elaborated:
In order to complete a showing of Strickland prejudice, defendants who have shown a reasonable probability they would have accepted the earlier plea offer must also show that, if the prosecution had the discretion to cancel it or if the trial court had the discretion to refuse to accept it, there is a reasonable probability neither the prosecution nor the trial court would have prevented the offer from being accepted or implemented. This further showing is of particular importance because a defendant has no right to be offered a plea, nor a federal right that the judge accept it. . . . It can be assumed that in most jurisdictions prosecutors and judges are familiar with the boundaries of acceptable plea bargains and sentences. So in most instances it should not be difficult to make an objective assessment as to whether or not a particular fact or intervening circumstance would suffice, in the normal course,
to cause prosecutorial withdrawal or judicial nonapproval of a plea bargain. The determination that there is or is not a reasonable probability that the outcome of the proceeding would have been different absent counsel‘s errors can be conducted within that framework.
Frye, 566 U.S. 133, 132 S.Ct. at 1410, 182 L.Ed.2d at 392-93 (citations omitted). Applying this standard, the Court remanded the case instructing, in part:
If [...] the prosecutor could have canceled the plea agreement, and if Frye fails to show a reasonable probability the prosecutor would have adhered to the agreement, there is no Strickland prejudice. Likewise, if the trial court could have refused to accept the plea agreement, and if Frye fails to show a reasonable probability the trial court would have accepted the plea, there is no Strickland prejudice.
Id. at 1411, 182 L.Ed.2d at 393-94 (emphasis added).
In Idaho, trial courts have the freedom to accept or reject proposed plea agreements. See
Even if the Court is to accept Fortin‘s conclusory allegations about [his trial counsel‘s] erroneous advice as true, Fortin cannot demonstrate any prejudice because Fortin cannot demonstrate that the Court would have accepted his plea as a binding plea agreement under
I.C.R. 11 . As a general practice, this Court does not accept binding plea agreements. As part of any plea colloquy, the Court routinely advise[s] a defendant that the plea bargain is not binding on the Court. If there was a plea agreement in the [separate] case, there is no evidence that the Court would not have agreed to a binding plea agreement with a concurrent sentence recommendation. As a consequence, Fortin cannot demonstrate any prejudice, since the Court would not have been bound to follow the plea agreement.
Fortin argues that an issue of material fact exists because, although the district court would not have accepted a binding plea agreement, it did not state that it would not have accepted a nonbinding plea. Fortin‘s distinction does not constitute evidence sufficient to meet his burden. He has failed to demonstrate that it was reasonably probable that the district court would have followed the nonbinding agreement. Neither Fortin‘s assertions on appeal, nor the record before us, adequately demonstrate that the district court would have accepted the alleged plea agreement, let alone imposed concurrent sentences or followed any recommendation in imposing a discretionary sentencing determination.5 Consequently, Fortin has failed to show prejudice. Accordingly, we hold that the district court did not err in summarily dismissing Fortin‘s claim that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to advise him that, by rejecting the State‘s plea offer, he potentially faced the imposition of consecutive sentences.
IV. CONCLUSION
The district court did not err in denying Fortin‘s motion requesting the district court
Judge GUTIERREZ and Judge GRATTON concur.