Stowe v. State

In Stowe v. State, 10 P.3d 551 (Wyo. 2000), the trial court advised Mr. Stowe that it was not bound by the plea agreement but failed to inform him that he did not have a right to withdraw his plea in the event it did not accept the recommendation. Citing W.R.Cr.P. 11(e)(2), the Court cautioned that failure to comply with the provision may require reversal of a conviction and remand to permit the defendant to withdraw his plea though we recognized it may also be treated as harmless error. Id. W.R.Cr.P. 11(e)(1)(B) provides: (e) Plea Agreement Procedure. (1) In General. The attorney for the state and the attorney for the defendant or the defendant when acting pro se may engage in discussions with a view toward reaching an agreement that, upon the entering of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a charged offense or to a lesser related offense, the attorney for the state will do any of the following: . . . (B) Make a recommendation, or agree not to oppose the defendant's request, for a particular sentence, with the understanding that such recommendation or request shall not be binding upon the court . . .