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Hicks v. United States

United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Nov 18, 2005
155 F. App'x 274 (9th Cir. 2005)

Opinion

Submitted November 15, 2005.

This panel unanimously finds this case suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed. R.App. P. 34(a)(2).

NOT FOR PUBLICATION. (See Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure Rule 36-3)

Bryan E. Lessley, Office of the Federal Public Defender, Eugene, OR, for Petitioner-Appellant.

Sean Hoar, USEU--Office of the U.S. Attorney, Eugene, OR, for Respondent-Appellee.


Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, Michael R. Hogan, District Judge, Presiding.

Before FERGUSON, KLEINFELD, and GRABER, Circuit Judges.

MEMORANDUM

This disposition is not appropriate for publication and may not be cited to or by the courts of this circuit except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.

Paragraph 19 of Hicks's plea agreement states that he "waives any right to collaterally attack any matter in connection with this ... sentence except the ineffective assistance of counsel or retroactive amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines." This is a § 2255 collateral attack, Hick's direct appeal having been adjudicated adversely to him on the merits. His waiver of his right to collaterally attack, having been knowingly and voluntarily made, must be enforced.

See United States v. Joyce, 357 F.3d 921 (9th Cir.2004), cert denied, 543 U.S. 915, 125 S.Ct. 90, 160 L.Ed.2d 197 (2004).

A counsel's representation is ineffective if his performance falls below an "objective standard of reasonableness" and his deficiencies were prejudicial to the defense. Reasonableness is judged at the time of counsel's performance. At the time of Hicks's plea and sentence, the settled law in this Circuit was that the Apprendi rule did not apply to Sentencing Guideline enhancements.

Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 688-689, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984).

Id. at 689, 104 S.Ct. 2052.

Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000).

Page 275.

Hicks is arguing that his counsel was ineffective for failing to make an Apprendi argument that would have been futile, then and now. Counsel's conduct was not unreasonable.

See, e.g., United States v. Jordan, 256 F.3d 922, 933-34 (9th Cir.2001) (holding that Apprendi only applies to enhancements that extend beyond the statutory maximum).

AFFIRMED.


Summaries of

Hicks v. United States

United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Nov 18, 2005
155 F. App'x 274 (9th Cir. 2005)
Case details for

Hicks v. United States

Case Details

Full title:Douglas Ray HICKS, Petitioner--Appellant, v. UNITED STATES of America…

Court:United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Date published: Nov 18, 2005

Citations

155 F. App'x 274 (9th Cir. 2005)