State of Iowa
v.
Joseph John Edwards
Appellee
State of Iowa
Appellant
Joseph John Edwards
Attorney for the Appellee
Linda J. Hines, Assistant Attorney General
Attorney for the Appellant
Michael J. Jacobsma
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Woodbury County, Jeffrey L. Poulson, Judge. AFFIRMED. Considered by Tabor, P.J., and May and Greer, JJ. Opinion by Tabor, P.J. (12 pages)
Joseph Edwards plead guilty to theft in the second degree and burglary in the second degree, both enhanced because he was a habitual offender. In return, the State dismissed the other eleven counts and imposed concurrent sentences not to exceed fifteen years. Edwards now contends his attorney failed to ensure the plea-taking court explained the nature of the habitual-offender enhancement. Edwards also alleges his counsel allowed him to plead guilty when the record did not reveal a factual basis for his prior convictions. OPINION HOLDS: After examining what is required of the district court in the prior-conviction colloquy, we find the court substantially complied in this case. Thus, counsel did not breach an essential duty. Also, because we find Edwards cannot show he was denied effective assistance of counsel, we affirm his convictions.
