People v. Jackson CA5

INTRODUCTION

Defendant Jonathan James Jackson was sentenced to a term of seven years eight months in state prison following a no contest plea. On appeal, defendant contends the record does not support the trial court’s ruling that he was competent to enter a plea because he suffered from a number of conditions recognized in a psychiatrist’s report, and no other expert found him to be competent. Further, defendant maintains the trial court erred by not appointing the director of the regional center for the developmentally disabled after the psychiatrist’s report provided substantial evidence of his incompetence on the basis of a developmental disability. Next, defendant argues the judgment should be reversed because the record shows he pled to a legal impossibility. In a related argument, he contends the matter should be remanded due to the legal inadequacy of the factual basis inquiry. Finally, defendant maintains the record establishes his plea was not knowing, voluntary, or intelligent. We find no error and will affirm the judgment.

RELEVANT PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND1

A January 31, 2012, complaint alleged defendant had violated (1) Penal Code2 section 422 by willfully and…