252 Ga. 213 | Ga. | 1984
Lead Opinion
We granted the application of George Hamm for a certificate of probable cause to appeal the denial of his petition for the writ of habeas corpus in Chatham Superior Court. Hamm is serving lengthy prison sentences imposed in Fulton and DeKalb Counties. We granted the application to consider whether DeKalb Superior Court erred in denying Hamm’s request to withdraw his plea of guilty. State v. Germany, 246 Ga. 455 (271 SE2d 851) (1980). We agree with the habeas court that Germany was not violated and, therefore, affirm.
The record demonstrates that sentences were imposed upon the three defendants in Fulton County. They were then brought to DeKalb Superior Court to face a multi-count indictment which included the offenses of motor vehicle theft and kidnapping. At first, Hamm indicated he would plead not guilty, but then joined the others and changed his plea to guilty. As the trial judge was about to
The trial judge proceeded to examine the three defendants under oath. During their examination each of the defendants told the court he had not been told what to expect as a sentence, that there had been no agreement and no “deal” made about his sentence, and that he understood the court could sentence him to the maximum penalty for each offense.
The court sentenced Hamm to serve seven years on the motor vehicle theft count, and life (later corrected to 20 years) for the kidnapping count to run consecutive to the first count. Both sentences were to run consecutive to the Fulton County sentences. The defendant asked that he be allowed to withdraw his plea of guilty. The request was denied.
In Germany, supra at 456, we provided the procedure to be followed in plea withdrawal:
“We also hold, however, that at the time a plea is offered, the trial court shall, on the record, require the disclosure of any plea agreement which has been reached by the state and the defendant. Further, if the trial court intends to reject said plea agreement, the trial court shall, on the record, inform the defendant personally that (1) the trial court is not bound by any plea agreement, (2) the trial court intends to reject the plea agreement presently before it, (3) the disposition of the present case may be less favorable to the defendant than that contemplated by the plea agreement, and (4) that the defendant may then withdraw his or her guilty plea as a matter of right. ... If the plea is not then withdrawn, sentence may be pronounced and the plea cannot thereafter be withdrawn except upon the sound legal discretion of the court.”
Here the evidence does not establish that a plea bargain was
Judgment affirmed.
Hamm contends there was an agreement that sentences imposed in DeKalb would be concurrent with sentences imposed in Fulton.
Dissenting Opinion
dissenting.
The transcript of the guilty plea proceedings shows that the sentencing court did not, before pronouncing sentence, inform the defendant of his right, at that point in the proceedings, to withdraw the plea, as stated in the fourth requirement of State v. Germany, 246 Ga. 455, 456 (271 SE2d 851) (1980). I therefore dissent.
I am authorized to state that Justice Bell joins in this dissent.