State v. Wheeler
Washington Supreme Court
631 P.2d 376 (1981)

- Written by Rich Walter, JD
Facts
The state of Washington (plaintiff) charged Richard Lee Wheeler (defendant) with kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, and a firearms offense. Prior to trial, Wheeler’s lawyer and the trial prosecutor worked out a plea bargain whereby, in return for Wheeler pleading guilty to the assault charge, the prosecutor would drop the kidnapping and firearms charges and recommend a short jail sentence. The chief prosecutor reviewed the case and decided to revoke the trial prosecutor’s plea-bargain offer before Wheeler could go before a judge and enter a guilty plea on the assault charge. Wheeler was tried and convicted for assault with a deadly weapon and sentenced to three years in prison. On appeal, Wheeler petitioned the Washington Supreme Court for specific performance of the trial prosecutor’s offer.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Utter, J.)
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