Can a defendant withdraw from a plea agreement if the prosecutor refuses to approve it?

MultiRegion, United States of America

The following excerpt is from U.S. v. Heig, 943 F.2d 56 (9th Cir. 1992):

Here, the plea agreement itself explicitly provided that it was of no effect until the court approved it. The agreement stated: "Should the court refuse to accept this Agreement it is null and void and neither party shall be bound thereto." In view of this language, neigher party could reasonably rely on the agreement prior to court approval. See United States v. Alvarado-Arriola, 742 F.2d 1143, 1145 (9th Cir. 1984) (prosecutor could not be said to have breached agreement nor could defendant claim reliance where agreement was implicitly conditioned on court approval and court refused to approve agreement). Thus, either party was free to withdraw from the agreement before the court approved it.

Other Questions


Does a prosecutor comment on a defendant's refusal to testify change the burden of proof? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
When a husband breaches a life insurance agreement that expressly requires the husband to maintain the policy, does the wife have a right to enforce the agreement at the time the husband breached the agreement? ("New York", United States of America)
Can a prosecutor refer to the guilty pleas of co-defendants as evidence of a defendant's guilt? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
What is the test for abuse of a district court's decision refusing to sever a defendant's case from those of his co-defendants? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Does a lawsuit filed by a criminal defendant against a prosecutor automatically disqualify that prosecutor? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
What is the test for determining the extent of a drug distribution agreement between a defendant and his co-defendant? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
What is the effect of a rule that in effect relied on plea agreements drafted by prosecutors to give defendants the equivalent of Rule 11 warnings? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Does a prosecutor's mention of "uncontradicted or unrefuted" evidence constitute improper commentary by the prosecutor on defendant's failure to testify? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Is there any case law where a defendant who refuses to testify before a grand jury has a right to defend himself against compelled self-incrimination? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
What is the proper procedure for a defendant to ask for an adjournment of the trial of a defendant? ("New York", United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.