STEPHEN HYLES, Magistrate Judge.
Presently pending before the Court is Defendant Robin Wall's motion for an appeal bond (ECF No. 18). Defendant contends that her plea was not knowing and voluntary because she received ineffective assistance of counsel. For the reasons explained below, Defendant's motion for an appeal bond is denied.
On January 27, 2016, Defendant pled guilty to theft in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 641. Arraignment Tr. 3:20-21, 6:22.
The Court held a hearing on the issue of an appeal bond on July 25, 2016. (ECF No. 21.) The motion for bond was denied from the bench following argument. This order encapsulates that ruling.
Title 18, United States Code section 3143(b)(1) requires that a defendant who has appealed his conviction and sentence be detained
Defendant must satisfy both sections of this provision to be eligible for release during the pendency of his appeal. The Government concedes that Defendant is not likely to flee or pose a danger to the safety of the community, and the Court finds that the appeal is not for the purpose of delay. Thus, the only issue currently before the Court is whether the appeal raises a substantial question of law or fact likely to result a new trial.
"The Eleventh Circuit has held that a substantial question is one of more substance than would be necessary to a finding that it was not frivolous. It is a close question or one that very well could be decided the other way." United States v. Fernandez, 905 F.2d 350, 354 (11th Cir. 1990). A defendant has the burden of establishing a substantial question of law or fact for each count for which imprisonment was imposed. See Morison v. United States, 486 U.S. 1306, 1306-07 (1988) (rejecting a request to remain free on bond pending an application for writ of certiorari because defendant failed to establish that his appeal was likely to result in reversal "with respect to all counts for which imprisonment was imposed[]"); see also United States v. Giancola, 754 F.2d 898, 901 (11th Cir. 1985) ("[T]he burden of establishing these factors is on the convicted defendant.").
Defendant failed to file an appeal brief for this case.
Similarly, Defendant's motion in support of an appeal bond is unhelpful. (ECF No. 18.) Defendant again generally, without factual or legal development, argues that she received ineffective assistance of counsel at the plea hearing and merely cites to Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1983). Defendant's only specific argument is that her four month sentence is "draconian" because "[f]rom a judicial efficiency perspective, the cost of incarcerating [Defendant] will greatly exceed the amount of actual loss." Mot. for Appeal Bond 2. This argument is irrelevant to an ineffectiveness claim and fails to establish a substantial question of law or fact.
The Court therefore turns to the arguments made at the July 25 hearing. Defendant contends that her trial counsel was ineffective because she was not properly informed that she could receive a sentence of incarceration. She claims that this ineffectiveness makes her plea invalid because it was not knowing or voluntary.
Defendant testified at the hearing that she only remembers trial counsel telling her that she would get a sentence of probation. Defendant stated that she would have approached her sentencing differently if she believed she would be incarcerated by better preparing her family and business for her absence. She additionally testified that she received a copy of her Presentence Report from her attorney, but was unable to open the attachment. Defendant also admitted that she remembered the Court informing her of her maximum possible sentence of a fine and one-year imprisonment. See, e.g., Arraignment Tr. 2:13-15.
Trial counsel, Ms. Jennifer Curry, testified that she informed Defendant that her maximum possible sentence was one-year imprisonment. Counsel admitted that she did not initially inform Defendant that it was likely that she would receive a term of imprisonment because she was unaware of Defendant's extensive criminal history. Once counsel received a copy of the Presentence Report, she attempted unsuccessfully to contact Defendant multiple times via telephone and email to go over the Report. Counsel advised Defendant at the sentencing hearing that it was possible that Defendant would receive a term of imprisonment.
Trial counsel may not have told Defendant that it was "probable" that she would get a term of imprisonment; however, there is no requirement that an attorney "over communicate" with her client in order to be effective.
Defendant has failed to meet her burden to show a substantial question of law or fact that would result in a different outcome in this case. As stated at the hearing, and for the reasons explained herein, Defendant's motion for bond pending her appeal is denied.
SO ORDERED.