Yocum v. State

Appellant pleaded guilty to failure to appear for sentencing. Appellant filed a postconviction relief action asserting that his counsel provided ineffective assistance for several reasons. The district court denied relief. Appellant appealed, arguing that counsel was ineffective by allowing Appellant to plead guilty when a factual basis did not exist for the plea. The court of appeals concluded that it could not reach this issue on appeal because the record was insufficient to determine whether a factual basis existed at the time Appellant pleaded guilty. The Supreme Court vacated the decision of the court of appeals and affirmed the district court judgment, holding (1) a factual basis existed in the record for the court to accept Appellant’s plea; and (2) Appellant’s remaining claims were without merit. View "Yocum v. State" on Justia Law