Pope v. State

The appellant, Rick Pope, pleaded guilty to the unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, a violation of § 13A-12-211, Code of Alabama 1975. He was sentenced to 20 years in the penitentiary pursuant to the schoolyard enhancement statute, § 13A-12-250, and the Habitual Felony Offender Act, § 13A-5-9.

The appellant argues on appeal that his guilty plea was involuntary. Specifically, he contends that he was misinformed as to the sentence he could receive if he pleaded guilty. Whether an appellant has been misinformed about the sentence he could receive by pleading guilty is an issue that…