Kidney v. State

Clifton Kidney appeals the summary denial of his motion for postconviction relief. We affirm.

In 1987 Kidney entered a plea of no contest to trafficking in cocaine (over 400 grams), conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, and possession of marijuana. He received concurrent sentences of fifteen years, fifteen years, and time served, plus the statutorily mandated fine. The motion includes several arguments; only the claim of ineffective assistance of counsel merits extended discussion.

Drug trafficking convictions, including conspiracy to traffic, ordinarily require imposition of a minimum mandatory…