State v. Poole

COLE, Judge.

We are asked to resolve two issues in this case: (1) whether the trial court was bound by the terms of a written plea agreement and (2) whether Maryland Rule 4-243(d) requires the trial court to record all chambers conferences at which plea agreements are discussed.

John Poole was charged in a 28 count indictment in the Circuit Court for Washington County for various narcotic offenses. Poole entered into a written plea agreement with the State whereby he would plead guilty to two counts of distributing cocaine and to two counts of maintaining a common nuisance. In return, the State…