United States v. Hart
Opinion
William H. Hart pled guilty to theft/embezzlement of United States property not in excess of $1,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 641 (2000). The district court sentenced Hart to five years of probation, as a condition of which he would serve a six-month term of home confinement, and to pay restitution of $3,000. Hart appeals his sentence, arguing that his sentence was enhanced in violation of his Sixth Amendment rights under United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005).
The Government asserts that Hart validly waived the right to appeal his sentence in the plea agreement. A defendant may waive the right to appeal if that waiver is knowing and intelligent. United States v. Blick, 408 F.3d 162, 169 (4th Cir. 2005). Generally, if the district court fully questions a defendant regarding the waiver of his right to appeal during the Fed. R.Crim.P. 11 colloquy, the waiver is both valid and enforceable. United States v. Wessells, 936 F.2d 165, 167-68 (4th Cir. 1991); United States v. Wiggins, 905 F.2d 51, 53-54 (4th Cir. 1990). A waiver of appeal does not prohibit the appeal of a sentence imposed in excess of the statutory maximum, a sentence based on a constitutionally impermissible factor such as race, United States v. Marin, 961 F.2d 493, 496 (4th Cir. 1992), or proceedings conducted in violation of the Sixth Amendment right to counsel following the entry of the guilty plea. United States v. Attar, 38 F.3d 727, 732-33 (4th Cir. 1994).
Our review of the record leads us to conclude that Hart knowingly and voluntarily waived the right to appeal his sentence. See Blick, 408 F.3d at 169-73 (holding that plea agreement waiver of right to appeal that district court accepted prior to Booker was not invalidated by change in law effected by that decision). Moreover, the challenges raised on appeal fall within the scope of the waiver. Accordingly, we dismiss Hart’s appeal.
*416 We note, however, a clerical error in Hart’s criminal judgment. The Government charged Hart with theft/embezzlement of United States property not in excess of $1,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 641 (2000). This is also the charge listed in the plea agreement. Although the judgment correctly describes the offense as theffc/embezzlement of United States property not in excess of $1,000, it inaccurately lists the statutory violation as 18 U.S.C. § 641 rather than 18 U.S.C. § 641. We request that the clerk of the district court correct this typographical error. See Fed.R.Crim.P. 36.
We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.
DISMISSED.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff—Appellee, v. William H. HART, Defendant-Appellant
- Status
- Unpublished