State v. Douglas Raymond Colvin , 162 Idaho 67 ( 2016 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF IDAHO
Docket No. 43443
STATE OF IDAHO, ) 2016 Opinion No. 70
)
Plaintiff-Respondent, ) Filed: November 4, 2016
)
v. ) Stephen W. Kenyon, Clerk
)
DOUGLAS RAYMOND COLVIN, )
)
Defendant-Appellant. )
)
Appeal from the District Court of the Second Judicial District, State of Idaho,
Latah County. Hon. John R. Stegner, District Judge.
Order denying motions to correct an illegal sentence, to withdraw guilty plea, and
for appointment standby counsel, affirmed.
Eric D. Fredericksen, Interim State Appellate Public Defender; Reed P. Anderson,
Deputy Appellate Public Defender, Boise, for appellant.
Hon. Lawrence G. Wasden, Attorney General; John C. McKinney, Deputy
Attorney General, Boise, for respondent.
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MELANSON, Chief Judge
Douglas Raymond Colvin appeals from the district court’s order denying his motions to
correct an illegal sentence, withdraw his guilty plea, and for appointment of standby counsel.
For the reasons set forth below, we affirm.
I.
FACTS AND PROCEDURE
In 1992, pursuant to a plea agreement, Colvin pled guilty to second degree murder. At
his sentencing hearing, the district court invited Colvin to make a statement on his behalf, which
he did. The district court also asked Colvin’s attorney whether there was any legal reason the
judgment should not be pronounced, and Colvin’s attorney answered in the negative. Colvin was
sentenced to a unified life term, with a minimum period of confinement of twenty-five years. In
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2015, Colvin filed three motions: (1) motion for correction of an illegal sentence; (2) “motion
for relief,” which requested that he be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea; and (3) motion for
appointment of standby counsel.
In his motion to correct an illegal sentence, Colvin argued that the district court violated
Colvin’s right to allocution by failing to explain that his personal statement could include
mitigating information. Colvin also argued that it was improper for the district court to ask
Colvin’s attorney, rather than Colvin, whether there was any legal reason judgment should not be
pronounced. In Colvin’s motion to withdraw his guilty plea, he claimed that his guilty plea was
invalid and therefore resulted in a manifest injustice. Finally, in his motion for appointment of
standby counsel, Colvin argued that he was entitled to counsel to confer with regarding the
motion to correct an illegal sentence and the motion to withdraw the guilty plea. The district
court denied all three motions. Colvin appeals.
II.
ANALYSIS
On appeal, Colvin contends that the district court erred in denying his motion to correct
an illegal sentence and abused its discretion in denying his motion to withdraw his guilty plea
and motion for appointment of standby counsel.
A. Motion to Correct Illegal Sentence
On appeal, Colvin contends the district court erred when it denied his motion to correct
an illegal sentence. The district court found that Colvin’s motion was barred by the time
limitations contained in Rule 35(b) and that, even if it were brought under Rule 35(a), that his
sentence was not illegal on the face of the record. Rule 35 is a narrow rule which allows a trial
court to correct an illegal sentence or to correct a sentence imposed in an illegal manner. State v.
Farwell, 144 Idaho 732, 735, 170 P.3d 397, 400 (2007). An illegal sentence apparent from the
face of the record can be corrected at any time. I.C.R. 35(a). However, a sentence imposed in an
illegal manner may only be corrected within 120 days after the judgment of conviction is filed.
I.C.R. 35(b). Whether a sentence is illegal or whether it was imposed in an illegal manner is a
question of law, over which we exercise free review. Farwell, 144 Idaho at 735, 170 P.3d at
400.
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Colvin purported to bring his motion to correct an illegal sentence under Rule 35(a).
However, Colvin’s motion challenges the manner in which his sentence was imposed, not
whether the sentence was authorized by law. In his motion, Colvin argued that the district
court’s invitation for Colvin to speak violated his right of allocution because it did not inform
him of his right to introduce mitigating evidence in accordance with I.C.R. 33(a)(1). 1 Because
Colvin’s argument challenges the manner in which his sentence was imposed, Rule 35(b) is the
proper vehicle. Colvin’s challenge is therefore barred by the time limitations contained in
Rule 35(b).
B. Motion to Withdraw Guilty Plea
On appeal, Colvin contends that the district court abused its discretion when it denied
Colvin’s motion to withdraw his guilty plea. Colvin’s judgment of conviction became final in
1992. In 2015, Colvin filed a “motion for relief,” which requested that he be permitted to
withdraw his guilty plea. The district court denied the motion on its merits. However, the
district court had no jurisdiction to grant the motion. A trial court’s jurisdiction to grant a motion
to withdraw a plea of guilty pursuant to I.C.R 33(c) expires once the judgment becomes final,
either by expiration of the time for appeal or affirmance of the judgment on appeal. State v.
Jakoski, 139 Idaho 352, 355, 79 P.3d 711, 714 (2003). We note that the district court did not
address the question of subject matter jurisdiction and the issue was not raised by the State on
appeal.2 However, the question of subject matter jurisdiction is fundamental and cannot be
ignored. Even if jurisdictional issues are not raised by the parties, the Court must address them
on its own initiative. State v. Hartwig, 150 Idaho 326, 328, 246 P.3d 979, 981 (2011).
C. Motion for Appointment of Standby Counsel
On appeal, Colvin asserts that the district court abused its discretion when it determined
that Colvin’s motions were frivolous and denied his request for the appointment of standby
counsel. Whether to appoint standby counsel is discretionary. State v. Averett, 142 Idaho 879,
1
Idaho Criminal Rule 33(a)(1) requires the trial court, prior to sentencing, to address the
defendant personally, to ask if the defendant wishes to make a statement, and to present any
information in mitigation of punishment.
2
The issue of subject matter jurisdiction was mentioned in the appellant’s brief.
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886, 357 (Ct. App. 2006). A defendant may be denied the appointment of counsel to assist in
pursuing post-commitment motions if the trial court finds the motions to be frivolous. State v.
Wade, 125 Idaho 522, 523-24, 873 P.2d 167, 169 (Ct. App. 1994). The district court correctly
denied Colvin’s motions because an attorney would not assist Colvin in preparing meritless
claims. Accordingly, the district court did not err in denying Colvin’s motion for appointment of
standby counsel.
III.
CONCLUSION
Colvin failed to show that the district court erred when it denied Colvin’s motion to
correct an illegal sentence. The district court lacked jurisdiction to consider Colvin’s motion to
withdraw his guilty plea. The district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Colvin’s
motion for appointment of standby counsel. Accordingly, the district court’s order denying
Colvin’s motions to correct an illegal sentence, to withdraw his guilty plea, and for appointment
of standby counsel is affirmed.
Judge GUTIERREZ and Judge HUSKEY, CONCUR.
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