C-1999-766
In OCCA case No. C-1999-766, Larnell Baucom, Jr. appealed his conviction for Trafficking in Illegal Drugs. In a published decision, the court decided to reverse the trial court's ruling and allow Baucom to withdraw his guilty plea. One judge dissented. Baucom had pleaded guilty to the crime of Trafficking in Illegal Drugs and received a ten-year prison sentence along with a suspended fine. Later, he wanted to withdraw his guilty plea, claiming that his attorney had given him incorrect advice regarding his potential sentence. The court looked at the case thoroughly, reviewing all records, transcripts, and Baucom's arguments. The main issue was whether the trial court was right to deny Baucom's request to withdraw his plea. The court found that Baucom’s attorney did not provide effective legal support, which led to Baucom entering his plea based on wrong information. Therefore, the court ruled that he should get the chance to withdraw his plea if he wants to. The dissenting opinion said that Baucom did not prove his plea was not knowingly made and that there was no strong evidence of improper advice from his lawyer. The dissenting judge argued that it was not the court's responsibility to act as Baucom's lawyer or raise issues that were not directly claimed by him.