Cristian Mendoza v. United States
1. A defendant who enters a guilty plea pursuant to a plea agreement that includes a purported inducement that he will receive an acceptance of responsibility reduction to his total offense level under U.S.S.G. § 3E1.1, but which (unbeknownst to him) cannot reduce his advisory sentencing range to anything other than "life," has not entered knowing, voluntary plea.
extent that they provide for the possibility that a defendant can enter a timely guilty plea instead of going to trial, and yet not receive any benefit for acceptance of responsibility when he is otherwise deserving of the reduction.
Whether a defendant who enters a guilty plea pursuant to a plea agreement that includes a purported inducement that he will receive an acceptance of responsibility reduction to his total offense level under U.S.S.G. § 3E1.1, but which (unbeknownst to him) cannot reduce his advisory sentencing range to anything other than 'life,' has entered a knowing, voluntary plea