X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Brown, Judge. Hector Jacobo appeals from the trial court’s order dismissing for lack of jurisdiction his extraordinary motion to withdraw guilty plea and vacate conviction. The record shows that in January 2010, Jacobo waived his right to counsel and pleaded guilty to possessing less than one ounce of marijuana. On May 5, 2020, Jacobo filed his extraordinary motion to withdraw guilty plea and vacate conviction, alleging that he was presently jailed and in “removal proceedings,” and that his guilty plea had contributed greatly to his immigration dilemma. As grounds for his motion, Jacobo asserted that nothing in the record, including the waiver of counsel form, indicated that the trial court warned him that he could suffer negative immigration consequences as a result of his guilty plea, and that, therefore, his Sixth Amendment right to counsel and his substantive and procedural due process rights under the Fourteenth Amendment were violated. Concluding that the motion was filed outside the term of court and that Jacobo had made no contention that his sentence was void, the trial court dismissed the motion for lack of jurisdiction. On appeal, Jacobo, who allegedly entered into an agreement for voluntary departure and is now living in his native Mexico, asserts that this Court should establish a new standard in situations such as his where it appears the trial court failed to “follow the rules” when taking his plea.[1] He contends that the “‘void’/'voidable’ distinction in this situation has led to a manifest injustice” and that “[a]rguing that the conviction in this case is ‘void[,]‘ or merely ‘voidable’ is an exercise in sophistry.” “[I]t is well settled that when the term of court has expired in which a defendant was sentenced pursuant to a guilty plea the trial court lacks jurisdiction to allow the withdrawal of the plea.” (Citation and punctuation omitted.) Perez v. State, 333 Ga. App. 716 (776 SE2d 312) (2015). See also Bankston v. State, 307 Ga. 656, 657 (2) (837 SE2d 788) (2020) (defendant’s motion to withdraw guilty plea properly dismissed for lack of jurisdiction where term of court in which defendant entered plea expired decades ago); Smith, 287 Ga. at 403 (3) (while timely motion to withdraw guilty plea may lead to evidentiary hearing, trial court’s authority to withdraw guilty plea ends with expiration of the term of court in which the plea was entered). Despite Jacobo’s claim of manifest injustice because of the trial court’s alleged failure to inform him of the impact on his immigration status, and his urging that we establish a new standard, he “has shown no basis to disturb the trial court’s [dismissal] of his motion to withdraw guilty plea.” Perez, 333 Ga. App. at 717 (1), citing Henderson v. State, 295 Ga. 333, 336-337 (2) (759 SE2d 827) (2014) (upholding trial court’s denial of defendant’s motion to withdraw guilty plea, because — despite defendant’s claim of “manifest injustice in the form of ineffective assistance of counsel” — the trial court had no jurisdiction to entertain the motion filed after the term of court during which the defendant had been sentenced), and Dupree v. State, 279 Ga. 613, 614 (619 SE2d 608) (2005) (rejecting the defendant’s claim that manifest injustice from ineffective assistance of counsel permitted him to pursue a motion to withdraw his guilty plea, where the motion was untimely filed). Cf. Smith, 287 Ga. at 402-403 (3) (on direct appeal, a defendant who seeks to show manifest injustice based on a violation of OCGA § 17-7-93 (c) or USCR 33.8 (D) (2), and who files a timely motion to withdraw guilty plea after sentencing, may be entitled to an evidentiary hearing to expand the record to establish three facts relating to the impact on his immigration status). Given the circumstances here, the trial court correctly dismissed Jacobo’s motion to withdraw his guilty plea. Judgment affirmed. Dillard, P. J., and Rickman, P. J., concur.

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
June 20, 2024
Atlanta, GA

The Daily Report is honoring those attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession.


Learn More
May 23, 2024
London

Celebrate outstanding achievement in law firms, chambers, in-house legal departments and alternative business structures.


Learn More
June 27, 2024
New York

Consulting Magazine identifies consultants that have the biggest impact on their clients, firms and the profession.


Learn More

Associate attorney position at NJ Immigration Law firm: Leschak & Associates, LLC, based in Freehold, NJ, is looking for a full time ass...


Apply Now ›

Company Description CourtLaw Injury Lawyers is an established Personal Injury Law Firm with its primary office located in Perth Amboy, New J...


Apply Now ›

Black Owl Recruiting is looking for a number of qualified applicants to fill positions for a highly reputable client. Recent experience work...


Apply Now ›
04/29/2024
The National Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
04/15/2024
Connecticut Law Tribune

MELICK & PORTER, LLP PROMOTES CONNECTICUT PARTNERS HOLLY ROGERS, STEVEN BANKS, and ALEXANDER AHRENS


View Announcement ›
04/11/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›