Sides v. State

John Lloyd Sides, Jr., pleaded guilty to trafficking in cocaine, a violation of § 20-2-80 (now codified at §13A-12-231), Code of Alabama 1975. Sides originally petitioned this court for a writ of mandamus, seeking to have a plea bargain agreement enforced in the circuit court. Relying on § 20-2-81(b), Code of Alabama 1975 (now codified in §13A-12-232(b)), this court denied the petition, stating that mandamus was not the correct action to bring because the appellant had not as yet been found guilty. The Alabama Supreme Court reversed and ordered that the writ be granted. The Supreme Court…