Blackledge v. Allison

431 U.S. 63 (1977)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

Allison (D) signed a form required for those who enter guilty pleas. He was sentenced three days later to a period of 17-21 years. D sought a writ of habeas corpus in Federal District Court, claiming that his guilty plea was induced by the promise of his attorney, who had consulted with the judge and assured D that he would get no more than ten years. The District Court dismissed his petition, finding that D had pled guilty knowingly, voluntarily, and with full awareness of the consequences. The Court of Appeals reversed, holding that the allegation of broken promise wasn't foreclosed by his responses on the form questions.