Com. v. German Santos, J. ( 2019 )

J-S47034-19
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
:
v. :
:
:
JOSE M. GERMAN SANTOS, :
:
Appellant : No. 473 MDA 2019
Appeal from the PCRA Order Entered March 12, 2019
in the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County
Criminal Division at No(s): CP-40-CR-0000197-2017
BEFORE: DUBOW, J., NICHOLS, J., and MUSMANNO, J.
MEMORANDUM BY MUSMANNO, J.: FILED: OCTOBER 15, 2019
Jose M. German Santos (“Santos”) appeals from the Order denying his
Petition for Relief filed pursuant to the Post Conviction Relief Act (“PCRA”).1
Counsel for Santos has filed a Petition to Withdraw from representation, and
a No-Merit/Turner Finley Brief.2 We grant counsel’s Petition to Withdraw,
and affirm the Order of the PCRA court.
____________________________________________
1 42 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 9541-9546.
2 See Commonwealth v. Turner, 544 A.2d 927 (Pa. 1988), and
Commonwealth v. Finley, 550 A.2d 213 (Pa. Super. 1988) (en banc). See
also Commonwealth v. Widgins, 29 A.3d 816, 817 n.2 (Pa. Super. 2011)
(recognizing that filing a no-merit brief may fulfill counsel’s obligation to file a
no-merit letter, provided that the brief contains all the information that must
be included in a no-merit letter).
J-S47034-19
In its Opinion, the PCRA court summarized the relevant history
underlying this appeal as follows:
On October 16, 2017[, Santos] pled guilty to Count 1 – Possession
with Intent to Deliver (PWID) Marijuana; Count 6 – Driving Under
the Influence, Controlled Substance, and Count 7 – Driving Under
the Influence [], Controlled Substance Impaired Ability.[3] On
November 20, 2017, [Santos] was sentenced to undergo a period
of incarceration of seventy-two hours to six months in the Luzerne
County Correctional Facility, Alcohol Highway Safety School, a
twelve[-]month license suspension, and a $1,000.00 fine.
[Santos] was also sentenced to two years [of] probation for Count
1[,] to run consecutive to Count 6.[FN] [Santos] did not file any
post-sentence motions or appeals. On October 12, 2018, [Santos]
filed a PCRA Petition. On January 24, 2019[, Santos,] through
appointed counsel, filed a supplemental PCRA Petition…. [T]he
issue [Santos] pursued at the PCRA hearing[,] held on February
28, 2019[,] was trial counsel’s alleged ineffectiveness for failing
to advise him of the deportation consequences of his guilty plea.
[FN] Counts 6 and 7 merged for sentencing purposes.
PCRA Court Opinion, 3/12/19, at 1-2 (one footnote added, one footnote in
original).
Following a hearing, the PCRA court denied Santos’s Petition.
Thereafter, Santos flied the instant timely appeal, followed by a court-ordered
Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) Concise Statement of matters complained of on appeal.
Prior to addressing the merits of the issue raised in counsel’s No-Merit
Brief, we must determine whether counsel met the procedural requirements
to withdraw. Counsel seeking to withdraw in PCRA proceedings
____________________________________________
3 See 35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(30); 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 3802(d)(1), (2).
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J-S47034-19
must review the case zealously. Turner/Finley counsel must
then submit a “no-merit” letter to the PCRA court, or brief on
appeal to this Court, detailing the nature and extent of counsel’s
diligent review of the case, listing the issues which petitioner
wants to have reviewed, explaining why and how those issues lack
merit, and requesting permission to withdraw.
Counsel must also send to the petitioner[] (1) a copy of the “no-
merit” letter/brief; (2) a copy of counsel’s petition to withdraw;
and (3) a statement advising petitioner of the right to proceed pro
se or by new counsel.
Where counsel submits a petition and no-merit letter that satisfy
the technical demands of Turner/Finley, the court … must then
conduct its own review of the merits of the case. If the court
agrees with counsel that the claims are without merit, the court
will permit counsel to withdraw and deny relief.
Commonwealth v. Muzzy, 141 A.3d 509, 510-11 (Pa. Super. 2016)
(corrections and some quotations and citations omitted).
Here, counsel has complied with the procedural requirements for
withdrawing as PCRA counsel. Counsel has provided Santos with a copy of
the Petition and the No-Merit Brief, and advised Santos of his right to proceed
pro se or with private counsel. See Petition to Withdraw at 1. Santos has
neither retained private counsel nor submitted any pro se filings to this Court.
Accordingly, we next address Santos’s substantive claims to determine
whether they lack merit.
In the No-Merit Brief, Santos claims that his guilty plea counsel rendered
ineffective assistance by permitting him to plead guilty, “without informing
him of the potential for deportation.” No-Merit Brief at 5. Santos argues that
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his plea counsel was aware that Santos was not a United States citizen, and
that he could be deported for pleading guilty. Id.As this Court has explained,
[w]hen reviewing the denial of a PCRA petition, we must
determine whether the PCRA court’s order is supported by the
record and free of legal error. Generally, we are bound by a PCRA
court’s credibility determinations. However, with regard to a
court’s legal conclusions, we apply a de novo standard.
Commonwealth v. Lee, 206 A.3d 1, 6 (Pa. Super. 2019) (citations omitted).
To be eligible for relief based on a claim of ineffective assistance of
counsel, a PCRA petitioner must demonstrate, by a preponderance of the
evidence, that (1) the underlying claim is of arguable merit; (2) no reasonable
basis existed for counsel’s action or omission; and (3) there is a reasonable
probability that the result of the proceeding would have been different absent
such error. Commonwealth v. Steele, 961 A.2d 786, 796 (Pa. 2008). With
regard to the second, i.e., the “reasonable basis” prong, this Court will
conclude that counsel’s chosen strategy lacked a reasonable basis only if the
appellant proves that “an alternative not chosen offered a potential for success
substantially greater than the course actually pursued.” Commonwealth v.
Williams, 899 A.2d 1060, 1064 (Pa. 2006) (citation omitted). To establish
the third prong, i.e., prejudice, the appellant must show that there is a
reasonable probability that the outcome of the proceedings would have been
different but for counsel’s action or inaction. Commonwealth v. Dennis,
950 A.2d 945, 954 (Pa. 2008).
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In its Opinion, the PCRA court set forth the relevant law regarding an
ineffectiveness claim relating to advice to a non-citizen about the risks of
deportation, addressed Santos’s claim and concluded that it lacks merit. See
PCRA Court Opinion, 3/12/19, at 3-5. The PCRA court’s findings are supported
in the record, and its legal conclusions are sound. See id. We therefore affirm
on the basis of the PCRA court’s Opinion, with regard to Santos’s claim of
ineffective assistance of plea counsel. See id.We further agree with counsel’s assessment that the appeal lacks merit
and is frivolous. Consequently, we grant counsel’s Petition to Withdraw from
representation.
Petition to Withdraw granted. Order affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 10/15/2019
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Circulated 09/10/2019 03:31 PM
IN THE COURT OF COlVlMON PLEAS
OF LUZERNE COUNTY
CO:MMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA :
v. CRilvfINAL DIVISION
JOSE M. GERMAN SANTOS NO: 197 OF 2017·
INMATE NO:
MEMORANDUM
I. INTRODUCTION
This memorandum is filed to address the issues raised in the Petition for Post
Conviction Collaieral Relief (hereinafter "PCRA") by Defendant, Jose German Santos, on
October 12, 2018: At the PCRA hearing on February 27, 2019, Defendant pursued the allegation
of ineffective assistance of counsel for failing to advise him _of the deportation consequences of
his guilty plea agreement.
II. PROCEDURAL IDSTORY
On October 16, 2017 Defendant pled guilty to Count I -Possession with Intent to
Deliver (PWID) Marijuana; Count 6 - Driving Under the Influence, Controlled Substance; and
Count 7 - Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Controlled Substance Impaired Ability. On
November 20, 2017, Defendant was sentenced to undergo a periodof incarceration of seventy-
two hours to six months in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility, Alcohol Highway Safety
School, a twelve month licensesuspension, _and a $1,000.0d fine. Defendant was also sentenced
to two years probation for Count 1 to run consecutive to Count 6.1 Defendant did not file any. .
post-sentence motions or appeals. On October 12, 2018, Defendant filed a PCRA Petition. On
. . I
1
Counts 6 and 7 merged for sentencing purposes.
Court Attachment A
January 24, 2019 Defendant;· through appointed· counsel, filed a supplemental PCRA Petition.
As previously indicated, the issue Defendant pursued at the PCRA hearing held on February 27,
2019 was trial counsel's alleged ineffectiveness for failing to advise him of the deportation
consequences of his guilty plea.
ID. LEGAL ANALYSIS
To be eligible for relief under 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9543(a)(2) of the Post Conviction Relief
Act, .a petitioner must plead and prove by a preponderance of the evidence that "ineffective
assistance of counsel which, in the circumstances of the particular case, so undermined the truth-
determining process that no reliable adjudication of guilt or innoc.ence could have taken place."
'
Commonwealth v. Hickman, 799 A.2d 136, 140 n.2 (Pa. Super. 2002) (quoting 42 Pa.G.-�.A. §
9543(a)(2)(ii)). :
There is a-presumption that counsel is effective. Commonwealth v. Cross, 634 A.2d 173,.
175 (Pa� 1993) (citing Commonwealth�: Pierce, 527 A.2d 973, 975 (Pa. 1987)). Defendant
bears the burden of proving counsel's ineffectiveness and that burden does not shift. Cross, 634
A.2(j at 175 (citing Commonwealth v. Jones., 471 A.2d 879 (Pa. 1984)).
For a Defendant to prevail on an ineffectiveness claim, he must satisfy a jhree-prong test
and demonstrate �t: "(l � his underlying claim is of arguable merit; (2) the particular course of
· conduct pursued by counsel did not have some reasonable basis designed to effectuate his
interests; and (3) but for counsel's ineffectiveness, there is a reasonable probability that the
outcome of the proceedings would have been different." Commonwealth v. AIL 10 A.3d 282,
291 (Pa. 2010) (citing Commonwealth v. (Michael) Pierce, 786 A.2d 203, 213 (Pa 2001));
Comm.on�ealth v. Kiroballzl 724 A.2d 326, 333 (Pa. 1999). "A failure to satisfy any prong of the
. .
ineffectiveness test requires rejection of the claim of ineffectiveness." Commonwealth v.
baniels, 963 A.2d 409, 419 (Pa 2009) (ci�g Commonwealth v. Sneed, 899 A.2d 1067, 1076
(Pa. 2006)). With regard to counsel not having a reasonable basis for his action, his approach
'
must be "so unreasonable that no competent lawyer would have chosen it." Commonwealth v.
. � 766 A.2d 859, 862-63 (Pa. Super. 2000) (quoting Commonwealth v. Miller� 431 A.2d .
. -
233, 234 (Pa. 1981)). Finally, trial counsel cannot be deemed ineffective for failing to pursue-a
meritless claim. Commonwealth v. Loner, 836 A.2d 125, 132 (Pa. Super. 2003). ·
· Allegations of ineffectiveness in connection with a guilty plea will not justify relief
unless the ineffectiveness of counsel caused defendant to enter. an involuntary or unknowing
plea, Commonwealth v. Anderson, 995 A.2d 1184, 1192 (Pa. Super. 2010). If the defendant
enters a plea onthe advice of counsel, the voluntariness of the ple� depends on whether
counsel's advice was within the range of competence which would be expected of attorneys in
criminal cases. Id. A valid guilty plea must be knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently entered.
It is clear that counsel must inform a noncitizen defendant .as to the risk of deportation
that may.result from aguilty plea. Padilla v. Kentucky, 559 U.S. 356, 369 (2010). However, our
Supreme Court has interpreted Padilla as requiring counsel to inform a defendant as to the risk of
deportation, not as to its certainty. Commonwealth v. McDermitt, 66 A.3d 810, 814 (Pa. Super.
. .
2013). When the risk of deportation is clear, "theduty to give correct advice is equally clear."
Padilla, 559 U.S. at 368. However, giving correct advice does not necessarily mean that counsel ·
. :,•
must tell a defendant he would definitely be deported. C4:1rtnnonwealth v. Escobar. 70 A.3d 838,
841 (Pa. Super. 2013). As the court noted in Escobar, there is po guarantee that.the United States
Attorney General would take all the steps necessary to carry out defendant's deportation. Id.Here, Defendant alleged that he entered a guilty plea to .PWID Marijuana; DUI,
Controlled Substance; and DUI, Controlled Substance Impaired Ability, without being advised
. .
as to the deportation co�equences of his plea by counsel. Defendant testified that he would not
have pled guilty had he know he would be deported .. (Notes of Testimony, In re: PCRA Hearing,
February 27, 2019, (Vough, J.) (hereinafter "N.T._'') at 5).
Defendant. retained Joseph Sklarosky, Sr., Esq. (hereinafter "Attorney Sklarosky"),
. .
a
criminal defense attorney with forty..five years of experience, to represent him in connection with
the criminal case. :CN-T. 8-9). Defendant retained Attorney Sklarosky prior to -�e preliminary
hearing and he was aware that Defendant was not a United States citizen. (N.T. 9, 12). · Attorney
Sklarosky knew that a guilty plea to the charges filed against Defendant could subjecthim to
• I
deportation. (N.T.: 13, 15).
Defendant eventually pled guilty to PWID Marijuana; DUI, Controlled Substance; and
DUI, Controlled Substance Impaired Ability. The negotiated plea agreement was favorable to
.. I .
Defendant. Prior to pleading guilty, Attorney Sklarosky advised Defendant that he could be
. ·,
subject to deportation as Defendant
..
completed
.
Attorney Sklarosky's intake form, which
indicated that Defendant was not a U.S. citizen and had a green card. (N.T. 9-10; 12, C-1; 12-
13). Attorney Sklarosky testified that it is bis normal practice to refer all criminal clients who
are not U.S. citizens charged with misdemeanors or felonies and facing possible deportation to a
local immigration attorney. (N.T. 9-10, 13, 15-16). Attorney Sklarosky followed bis normal
·.. practice. in this case and gave the Defendant a business card for a local immigration attorney
priorto the plea hearing on October 16, 2017. (N.T. 6, 12-13). Defendant was made aware of the
•
possible deportation consequences of his .plea by Attorney Sklarosky as Defendant testified that
he received the immigration attorney's business card, but did not contact the immigration:
attorney. (N.T. 6).
Additionally, this Court found the testimony presented by Attorney Sklarosky at the
PCRA Hearing to be credible. He followed his normal practice by advising the Defendant that
his guilty plea may res,ult in deportation and gave the Defendant an immigration attorney's
business card. The Defendant admitted to receiving the immigration attorney's phone number,
but failed to contact the attorney, Accordingly, Defendant's ineffectiveness claim lacks merit as
Attorney Sklarosky provided the requisit� advice reg�,g his plea and deportation
consequences; Defendant knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently entered-into his guilty plea
agreement. Therefore, Defendant's. Petition for Post Conviction Relief raises no issues of merit
I •
and must be denied.
BY TIIE COURT:
�7[/J
:MICHAEL T. VOUGH, J.