Lyles v. State, 382 N.E.2d 991 (Ind. Ct. App. 1978). · Go Syfert
Search
Lyles v. State, 382 N.E.2d 991 (Ind. Ct. App. 1978). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
G Cite
cited 2× by 1 distinct case, last quoted 1987 · …a decision of the utmost importance: whether or not to plead guilty ✓
103 citation events (20 in the last 25 years) across 28 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Turner v. State of Tenn. (tnmd, 1987-06-12)
Treatment trajectory · 1978 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1978 2002 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 16 distinct citers. How cited ↗
examined Cited as authority (quoted) Turner v. State of Tenn. (2×)
M.D. Tenn. · 1987 · quote attribution · 2 verbatim quotes · confidence low
a decision of the utmost importance: whether or not to plead guilty
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Merzbacher v. Shearin
D. Maryland · 2010 · confidence medium
See also, State v. Simmons, 65 N.C.App. 294, 300-301 , 309 S.E.2d 493 (1983); Lyles v. State, 178 Ind.App. 398 , 382 N.E.2d 991, 993 (1978); People v. Whitfield, 40 Ill.2d 308 , 239 N.E.2d 850 (1968).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Davie v. State (2×)
S.C. · 2009 · confidence medium
Caruso v. Zelinsky, 689 F.2d 435, 438 (3d Cir.1982); Barentine v. United States, 728 F.Supp. 1241, 1251 (W.D.N.C.), aff'd, 908 F.2d 968 (4th Cir.1990); Griffin v. United States, 330 F.3d 733, 737 (6th Cir.2003); Johnson v. Duckworth, 793 F.2d 898, 902 (7th Cir.1986); United States v. Blaylock, 20 F.3d 1458, 1465 (9th Cir.1994); Diaz v. United States, 930 F.2d 832, 834 (11th Cir.1991); see also Rasmussen v. State, 280 Ark. 472 , 658 S.W.2d 867, 867-68 (1983); Cottle v. State, 733 So.2d 963, 964-65 (Fla.1999); Lloyd v. State, 258 Ga. 645 , 373 S.E.2d 1, 3 (1988); People v. Whitfield, 40 Ill.2d *…
examined Cited as authority (rule) Dew v. State (6×) also: Cited "see"
Ind. Ct. App. · 2006 · confidence medium
Id. at 400-02 , 382 N.E.2d at 9938-94 (footnote and some citations omitted).
examined Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Mahar (3×)
Mass. · 2004 · confidence medium
Not surprisingly, the majority of cases in which courts have sustained claims of ineffectiveness of counsel in the context of plea bargaining have been based on the failure of counsel either to communicate the government’s plea offer to the defendant, see, e.g., Pham v. United States, supra at 181-183; Lyles v. State, 178 Ind. App. 398, 402 (1978); State v. Simmons, 65 N.C.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Curry (2×)
Ill. · 1997 · confidence medium
Caruso v. Zelinsky , 689 F.2d 435, 438 (3d Cir 1982); Lloyd v. State , 258 Ga. 645, 647 , 373 S.E.2d 1, 3 (1988); Lyles v. State , 178 Ind. App. 398, 401 , 382 N.E.2d 991, 994 (1978); State v. Simmons , 65 N.C.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Curry (2×)
Ill. · 1997 · confidence medium
Caruso v. Zelinsky, 689 F.2d 435, 438 (3d Cir. 1982); Lloyd v. State, 258 Ga. 645, 647 , 373 S.E.2d 1, 3 (1988); Lyles v. State, 178 Ind. App. 398, 401 , 382 N.E.2d 991, 994 (1978); State v. Simmons, 65 N.C.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Bristol
Vt. · 1992 · confidence medium
Mich. 1990); Barentine v. United States, 728 F. Supp. 1241, 1251 (W.D.N.C. 1990); Lyles v. State, 178 Ind. App. 398, 402 , 382 N.E.2d 991, 993 (1978). *338 Defense counsel has a duty to communicate to a client not only the terms of a plea bargain offer, but also its relative merits compared to the client’s chances of success at trial.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. William Day, A/K/A William McNeil
3rd Cir. · 1992 · confidence medium
See, for example, People v. Alvernaz, 2 Cal. 4th 924, 936 , 8 Cal.Rptr.2d 713, 720-21 , 830 P.2d 747, 754-55 (1992); Lloyd v. State, 258 Ga. 645, 373 S.E.2d 1, 3 (1985); People v. Whitfield, 40 Ill.2d 308 , 239 N.E.2d 850, 852 (1968); Lyles v. State, 178 Ind.App. 398 , 382 N.E.2d 991, 994 (1978); People v. Alexander, 136 Misc.2d 573 , 518 N.Y.S.2d 872, 880 (Sup.Ct.1987); Larson v. State, 104 Nev. 691 , 766 P.2d 261, 262-63 (1988); *45 State v. Simmons, 65 N.C.App. 294 , 309 S.E.2d 493, 498 (1983); Commonwealth v. Copeland, 381 Pa.Super. 382 , 554 A.2d 54, 61 (1988); Hanzelka v. State, 682 S.W.…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Williams v. State
Md. · 1992 · confidence medium
U.S. v. Rodriguez, 929 F.2d 747, 752 (1st Cir.1991); Johnson v. Duckworth, 793 F.2d 898, 902 (7th Cir.), cert, denied, 479 U.S. 937 , 107 S.Ct. 416 , 93 L.Ed.2d 367 (1986); Caruso v. Zelinsky, 689 F.2d 435 , 438 (3rd Cir.1982); Barentine v. U.S., 728 F.Supp. 1241, 1251 (W.D.N.C.1990); Williams v. Arn, 654 F.Supp. 226, 235-36 (N.D.Ohio 1986); Rasmussen v. State, 280 Ark. 472 , 658 S.W.2d 867, 868 (1983); Lloyd v. State, 258 Ga. 645 , 373 S.E.2d 1, 3 (1988); Lyles v. State, 178 Ind.App. 398 , 382 N.E.2d 991, 994 (1978); State v. Simmons, 65 N.C.App. 294 , 309 S.E.2d 493, 497 (1983); Ex parte Wil…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Barentine v. United States
W.D.N.C. · 1990 · confidence medium
See also, State v. Simmons, 65 N.C.App. 294, 300-301 , 309 S.E.2d 493 (1983); Lyles v. State, 178 Ind.App. 398 , 382 N.E.2d 991, 993 (1978); People v. Whitfield, 40 Ill.2d 308 , 239 N.E.2d 850 (1968).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Kraus (2×)
Iowa · 1986 · confidence medium
Caruso v. Zelinsky, 689 F.2d 435 , 443-44 (3d Cir.1982) (ineffective assistance of counsel found where attorney failed to communicate offer of plea bargain to client — case remanded for hearing to determine prejudice); Rasmussen v. State, 280 Ark. 472, 473-75 , 658 S.W.2d 867, 868 (1983) (notwithstanding attorney’s failure to communicate plea offer, court found “no grounds on which to set aside the finding of guilt or to order a new trial”); People v. Brown, 177 Cal.App.3d 537, 555-57 , 223 Cal.Rptr. 66, 78 (1986) (no reversible error in absence of showing that plea bargain was in fact…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Thomas A. Johnson v. Jack R. Duckworth, Superintendent, and Indiana Attorney General
7th Cir. · 1986 · confidence medium
Caruso v. Zelinsky, 689 F.2d 435, 438 (3d Cir.1982); Harris v. State, 437 N.E.2d 44, 45-46 (Ind.1982); Lyles v. State, 178 Ind.App. 398 , 382 N.E.2d 991, 993 (1978) (attorney’s failure to communicate plea offer violates defendant’s rights); State v. Simmons, 65 N.C.App. 294 , 309 S.E.2d 493, 497 (1983) (failure to inform client of proffered plea agreement constituted ineffective assistance of counsel in the absence of extenuating circumstances). 2 See People v. Whitfield, 40 Ill.2d 308 , 239 N.E.2d 850 (1968).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Tucker v. Holland
W. Va. · 1985 · confidence medium
In Lyles v. State, 178 Ind.App. 398, 401-02 , 382 N.E.2d 991, 993-94 (1978), the court reversed and remanded the conviction of a defendant where his attorney failed to communicate the prosecution’s plea offer and was subsequently sentenced to ten years even though the prosecution had offered to recommend a one to five year sentence if the defendant plead guilty to a lesser included offense.
cited Cited "see" Muff v. State
Ga. Ct. App. · 1993 · signal: see · confidence high
See for example Lyles v. Indiana, [ 382 NE2d 991 (Ind. App. 1978)]; People v. Whitfield, [ 239 NE2d 850 (Ill. 1968)]; Hanzelka v. State, [ 682 SW2d 385 (Tex. App. 1984)].
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Abella v. State (2×)
Fla. Dist. Ct. App. · 1983 · signal: compare · confidence low
Compare, Lyles v. State, 178 Ind.App. 398 , 382 N.E.2d 991 (1978); Caruso v. Zelinsky, 515 F.Supp. 676 (D.N.J.1981) (remanded to trial court for evidentiary hearing on whether trial counsel failed to communicate plea offer to defendant).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Willie Lee Lyles
v.
State of Indiana
2-1275A384.
Indiana Court of Appeals.
Nov 28, 1978.
382 N.E.2d 991
1978 Ind. App. LEXIS 1166
Robert W. Hammerle, of Indianapolis, for appellant., Theodore L. Sendak, Attorney General of Indiana, Elmer Lloyd Whitmer, Deputy Attorney General, for appellee.
Shields.
Cited by 50 opinions  |  Published
1 passages pin-cited by 1 case
Pinpoint authority: bottom 86%
Citer courts: M.D. Tennessee (2)
Shields, J.

The appellant, Willie Lee Lyles (Lyles) was charged with, and convicted, by a jury, of commission of a felony while armed, to wit: Robbery. [1] This appeal is taken from the trial court’s denial of Lyles’ belated motion to correct errors.

Lyles was charged, by information, on December 19,1974. After the appointment and withdrawal of several Public Defenders, Lyles retained private counsel. [2] Lyles was tried, by a jury, on April 7,1975, and a guilty verdict was returned the same day. Lyles was sentenced, on April 29, 1975, to serve a prison term of ten (10) years. Although Lyles informed the court of his desire to appeal at this hearing, no immediate appeal was taken. As a result of correspondence between Lyles and the trial judge, a hearing was held on September 9,1975, the record of which revealed the basis of this appeal. At this hearing, the trial judge granted Lyles permission to file a belated motion to correct errors and appointed a Public Defender to prosecute this appeal.

While there are serious procedural questions presented with respect to the nature and propriety of the hearing held on September 9,1975, in the interest of justice we consider the hearing as one held pursuant to Indiana Rules of Procedure, Post-conviction Rule 2, and proceed to the merits to the end that it may be determined whether substantial justice has been denied to Lyles. In so doing, however, we must caution that:

“any tendency toward liberality in construing the rules of practice[*400] and procedure should not be treated as a license to ignore plain and concise rules of practice.” McDougall v. State (1970), 254 Ind. 62, 64, 257 N.E.2d 674, 676.

The record of the hearing held on September 9,1975 reveals that on the day of trial, before it commenced, the prosecutor, judge and defense counsel conferred in chambers. During this conference, the prosecutor offered the defendant a “plea bargain” whereby Lyles would plead guilty to Theft [3] and the prosecutor would recommend a sentence of one to five years. The judge then told both attorneys that, because the jury had already been impanelled, he would not accept the guilty plea until Lyles paid a $170.00 “Jury Impanelling Fee.” [4] Defense counsel left chambers with the ostensible purpose of discussing this proposal with Lyles. When counsel returned, the prosecutor and judge were informed that, “He would not do it.” Thus, the trial commenced and Lyles was convicted as charged.

Lyles had prior knowledge of a tentative offer made during earlier negotiations between the State and the defense. He was, however, never informed of the offer made in chambers; rather, he was told by his attorney that the plea bargain had fallen through, i.e., “The prosecutor wouldn’t go along with it.” On appeal, Lyles asserts that his defense counsel’s failure to communicate the State’s plea bargain offer to him denied him the effective assistance of counsel. We agree.

It is the duty of counsel, whether appointed or retained, to afford his client full and adequate representation and consultation, which includes a complete explanation of the constitutional rights of the defendant, the existence of defense, and the consequences of any pleas. Conley v. State (1972), 259 Ind. 29, 284 N.E.2d 803. Only then can a defendant intelligently and voluntarily make those decisions that are his, and his alone to make. These decisions, personal to the defen[*401] dant, include waivers of constitutionally protected rights such as the right to trial by jury, right to confront one’s accusers and the privilege against compulsory self incrimination. Another such decision that is a defendant’s alone to make is the one Lyles was not permitted to make by the conduct of his counsel. As our Supreme Court stated: “An accused has the right to elect as to whether he will stand trial or plead guilty.” Abraham v. State (1950), 228 Ind. 179, 185, 91 N.E.2d 358, 360. (emphasis added). A fortiori such election may not be intelligently or voluntarily made without consultation; and certainly not without communication.

This minimal requirement is embodied in the A.B.A. Standards, The Defense Function § 6.2(a) as follows:

(a) In conducting discussions with the prosecutor the lawyer should keep the accused advised of developments at all times and all proposals made by the prosecutor should be communicated promptly to the accused, (emphasis added).

The commentary to this section explains:

Because plea discussions are usually held without the accused being present, there is a duty on the lawyer to communicate fully to his client the substance of the discussions. It is important that the accused be informed of proposals made by the prosecutor; the accused, not the lawyer, has the right to pass on prosecution proposals, even when a proposal is one which the lawyer would not approve. If the accused’s choice on the question of a guilty plea is to be an informed one, he must act with full awareness of his alternatives, including any that arise from proposals made by the prosecutor, (emphasis added).

See also, A.B.A. Standards, Pleas of Guilty § 3.2.

Incompetency of counsel revolves around the particular facts of each case. Dull v. State (1978), 267 Ind. 549, 372 N.E.2d 171, 173. On appeal, the presumption that counsel was competent can be overcome only by strong and convincing evidence. Baum v. State (1978), 269 Ind. 176, 379 N.E.2d 437, 439. The standard for determining whether the defendant has been denied competent counsel is whether the trial resulted in a “mockery of justice” because of the failure of the attorney to provide the defendant with adequate legal representation. Cottingham v. State (1978), 269 Ind. 261, 379 N.E.2d 984, 986.

[*402] In the case at bar, the defense counsel’s failure to communicate the State’s plea offer short-circuited the entire guilty plea process. This was not a matter of trial tactics or strategy, which do not automatically constitute incompetence. Magley v. State (1975), 263 Ind. 618, 335 N.E.2d 811; Bucci v. State (1975), 263 Ind. 376, 332 N.E.2d 94; Roberts v. State (1975), 263 Ind. 53, 324 N.E.2d 265. This case involved a decision of the utmost importance; whether or not to plead guilty. In matters of such importance, the attorney has no option, he must advise his client of the proposed plea agreement. Here, this duty to advise was clearly and flagrantly breached. That Lyles was prejudiced [5] is evident: he was sentenced to ten years, when he had an opportunity to plead to an offense with a recommendation of a one to five year sentence.

Since Lyles was denied the effective assistance of counsel at a critical stage of the proceedings, we are constrained to reverse the judgment of the trial court and remand with instructions to conduct a guilty plea hearing, assuming, as equity indicates under the limited facts of this case, the State’s offer continues. Cf., Santobello v. New York (1971), 404 U.S. 257, 262, 263; Spaulding v. State (1975), 165 Ind. App. 64, 330 N.E.2d 774, 778. However, should the State withdraw its offer to permit Lyles to plead guilty to the crime of theft, or should the trial court, in its informed discretion, refuse to accept the guilty plea, if offered, Lyles is to be granted a new trial.

Reversed and remanded with instructions.

Buchanan, C.J., concurs.

Sullivan, J., concurs.

NOTE — Reported at 382 N.E.2d 991.

1

. IC 1971, 35-12-1-1 (Burns Code Ed.).

2

. Counsel on appeal did not represent Lyles at trial.

3

. IC 1971, 35-17-5-3 (Burns Code Ed.).

4

. Since we find error in defense counsel’s failure to communicate the plea arrangements with Lyles, we need not address his arguments relating to the imposition of the $170.00 jury fee as a pre-condition to the court’s acceptance of the guilty plea. We note, however, the trial court intimated at the post-conviction hearing that had he known of Lyles’ financial condition he would not have imposed such a fee. Further, we note in passing, that there is no statutory authority for the imposition of such a fee.

5

. During the post-conviction proceedings Lyles’ trial counsel maintained that her defalcation-was not prejudicial to Lyles, contending, inter alia, that the court would not have accepted the guilty plea since Lyles was protesting his innocence. This contention, however, is untenable: for, notwithstanding a defendant’s inability or unwillingness to admit guilt, his guilty plea may, be accepted if voluntary, knowingly and understanding given, so long as there exists a factual basis for the plea. See e.g., Campbell v. State (1975), 262 Ind. 594, 321 N.E.2d 560 (defendant’s guilty plea valid, notwithstanding his professed lack of knowledge); see also, Likens v. State (1978), 177 Ind. App. 101, 378 N.E.2d 24; Boles v. State (1973), 261 Ind. 354, 303 N.E.2d 645; Brown v. State (1975), 163 Ind. App. 132, 322 N.E.2d 98.