P. v. Copeland CA5
Defendant Christopher Michael Copeland was charged with several offenses in relation to an incident in which he and two companions forced themselves into a home where three minors were present, and eventually departed with several items of value. Relatively early in the case, the People extended to defense counsel an offer of 14 years in prison, which would have involved Copeland pleading to one count of home invasion robbery, admitting his personal use of a firearm, and admitting a prior prison term enhancement. Defense counsel did not communicate the offer to Copeland.
Copeland eventually learned of the prior offer, when a newly assigned prosecutor informed him it was no longer available. Thereafter, the People recognized they were constitutionally required, under the circumstances, to re-extend the offer. At the next court date, Copeland accepted the plea agreement and he pled no contest to one count of home invasion robbery (Pen. Code, § 213, subd. (a)(1)(A)) and admitted the fir
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