James Leon Scott v. State of Missouri

James Scott appeals the circuit court’s denial, following an evidentiary hearing, of his claim that he was abandoned by his post-conviction counsel in his Rule 24.035 case. We affirm.

Background

The State charged Scott with the class C felony of possession of a controlled substance, as a “persistent drug offender,” and the class A misdemeanor of driving while revoked. In March 2011, Scott appeared before the circuit court to enter a guilty plea to the drug charge, pursuant to a plea agreement with the State. At the plea hearing, the prosecutor recited the range of punishment for the drug…