[¶ 1] Christopher N. Bilynsky appeals from a judgment of the Superior Court (Sagadahoc County, Delahanty, J.) denying his motion to withdraw his nolo conten-dere plea, entered pursuant to a conditional plea agreement, and vacate his sentence. Bilynsky argues that: (1) the court erred by denying his motion; (2) M.R.Crim. P. 32(d), pursuant to which the court denied his motion to withdraw his plea, is unconstitutional; and (3) the court erred by ruling on his motion without first holding a hearing. We affirm the Superior Court’s judgment.
[¶ 2] We review both a denial of a motion to vacate a sentence and a denial of a motion to withdraw a plea for abuse of discretion. See State v. Lambert,
[IT 3] Bilynsky makes two arguments with respect to the court’s denial of his motion to vacate his sentence. First, he contends that he did not receive the pre-sentence detention time he claims was an inducement under the plea agreement and, therefore, that his M.R.Crim. P. 35 motion to vacate his sentence should have been granted. We have stated that a challenge to an award of pre-sentence detention credit is beyond the scope of Rule 35 and is only properly made through post-conviction proceedings. State v. Crawford,
[¶ 4] Second, Bilynsky argues that the return of certain items of personal
[¶ 5] Bilynsky also argues that the court improperly denied the motion to withdraw his plea, which he made after his sentence was imposed. M.R.Crim. P. 32(d) provides that “[a] motion to withdraw a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere may be made only before sentence is imposed.” Bilynsky argues that Rule 32(d) is unconstitutional under the “open courts” and the due process provisions of the Maine Constitution. See Me. Const, art. I §§ 6-A, 19. This is an issue of law, which we review de novo. See State v. Johnson,
[¶ 6] The “open courts” provision requires that “the courts must be accessible to all persons alike without discrimination, at times and places designated for their sitting, and afford a speedy remedy for every wrong recognized by law as remediable in a court.” Me. Med. Ctr. v. Cote,
[¶ 7] When the State acts to deprive a person of life, liberty, or property, basic due process requirements include “an opportunity to be heard upon such notice and proceedings as are adequate to safeguard the right” at stake. McNaughton v. Kelsey,
[¶ 8] Based on our finding that Rule 32(d) is constitutional, we further find that the court did not abuse its discretion in denying Bilynsky’s motion to withdraw his plea pursuant to this Rule.
[¶ 9] Finally, Bilynsky argues that M.R.Crim. P. 35(e) requires the court to hold a hearing on a motion to vacate a sentence. Rule 35(e) provides that “the court shall conduct a hearing” upon a motion made pursuant to Rule 35(a) or (c). The Superior Court determined that, although Bilynsky’s motion cited Rule 35(c), it did not actually present Rule 35(a) or (c) issues and, therefore, it declined to hold a hearing. We conclude, under these circumstances, that the court did not err in deciding not to hold a hearing. When a rule that triggers a hearing requirement is not actually applicable, simply referencing that rule does not and cannot impose on a court an obligation to hold a hearing.
The entry is:
Judgment affirmed.
