Francisco Gomez-Diaz v. United States, 433 F.3d 788, 11th Cir. (2005)

433 F.
3d 788
Francisco GOMEZ-DIAZ, a.k.a. Jose Gomer, a.k.a. Joe Robert

Torres, Petitioner-Appellant,
v.
UNITED STATES of America, Respondent-Appellee.
No. 04-11105.
United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit.

December 20, 2005.
Rebecca Bowen Creed (Court-Appointed), Mills & Carlin, P.A.,

Jacksonville, FL, for Gomez-Diaz.
Todd B. Grandy, Tamra Phipps, Tampa, FL, for U.S.
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Middle District of
Florida.
Before BLACK, WILSON and COX, Circuit Judges.
COX, Circuit Judge:
Francisco Gomez-Diaz ("Petitioner") filed a timely 28 U.S.C. 2255 motion

challenging his conviction and sentence on federal offenses. He alleged, among
other things, that counsel appointed to represent him failed to file a notice of
appeal as he requested.
It is well-settled that a lawyer who disregards instructions from his client to

appeal has acted "in a manner that is professionally unreasonable." Roe v.
Flores-Ortega, 528 U.S. 470, 477, 120 S.Ct. 1029, 1035, 145 L.Ed.2d 985
(2000). Prejudice is presumed. Id. at 483, 120 S.Ct. at 1035. The issue on this
appeal is whether that general rule applies in a case where the defendant
signed, as part of his plea agreement, a limited waiver of his right to appeal his
sentence. We hold that it does.
I. Procedural History
Petitioner was convicted, following his guilty plea, of conspiracy to distribute

500 or more grams of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. 846 and 841(b)(1)
(B)(ii)(II), as well as unlawful reentry into the United States after being
deported subsequent to a conviction for an aggravated felony, in violation of 8
U.S.C. 1326(a) and (b)(2). His plea agreement included the following
provision waiving appellate rights:
[T]he defendant ... expressly waives the right to appeal defendant's sentence,
directly or collaterally, on any ground, including the applicability of the "safety
value" provisions contained in 18 U.S.C. 3553(f) and USSG 5C1.2, except
for an upward departure by the sentencing judge, a sentence above the statutory
maximum, or a sentence in violation of the law apart from the sentencing
guidelines.
(Ex. 32 at 13.)
Petitioner was sentenced to 188 months' imprisonment and four years of

supervised release. The court informed him that he had ten days to appeal his
sentence to the extent permitted by his plea agreement. No notice of appeal was
filed.
Petitioner filed this timely 28 U.S.C. 2255 motion challenging his conviction
and sentence. The district court found the attack on his conviction meritless,
and that finding is not challenged on this appeal.
Petitioner's pro se 2255 motion and accompanying memorandum claim that

he was denied his Sixth Amendment right to the effective assistance of counsel
because his lawyer, though asked to appeal, failed to perfect an appeal. The
district court dismissed the motion without conducting an evidentiary hearing
because Petitioner failed to identify any ground for appeal that fell within the
exceptions to his appeal waiver. Petitioner appeals, and we have appointed
counsel for him on appeal.
II. Issues on Appeal and Standard of Review

9
This court granted Petitioner's motion for a certificate of appealability on the

following issue only: "Whether appellant was denied effective assistance of
counsel when counsel failed to file a timely notice of appeal after appellant
allegedly requested counsel to do so." (R.1-13.)
10
This issue presents two subsidiary questions. First, we must decide whether
10
This issue presents two subsidiary questions. First, we must decide whether
Petitioner's 2255 motion states a claim that entitles him to an evidentiary
hearing. If we conclude that it does, we must then decide whether Petitioner's
limited appeal waiver precludes the grant of relief unless he can show that he
has meritorious grounds for appeal.
11
We review de novo a district court's legal conclusions in a 28 U.S.C. 2255

proceeding. See Lynn v. United States, 365 F.3d 1225, 1232 (11th Cir.2004);
McCarthy v. United States, 320 F.3d 1230, 1231-32 (11th Cir.2003). On the
merits, whether counsel is ineffective is a mixed question of law and fact that
we review de novo. United States v. Bender, 290 F.3d 1279, 1284 (11th
Cir.2002).
III. Discussion
12
In Part A of this discussion, we consider whether Petitioner is entitled to an

evidentiary hearing on his claim. In Part B, we consider whether the limited
appeal waiver bars relief.
A.
13
Petitioner contends that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel on

appeal when his lawyer failed to comply with his specific request to file a
notice of appeal in his criminal case. Alternatively, Petitioner argues that, if this
court finds insufficient evidence that the Petitioner specifically instructed his
lawyer to file a notice of appeal, the question becomes whether his lawyer
failed to fulfill the constitutionally-imposed duty to consult with him about
appeal, and whether Petitioner can show a reasonable probability that, but for
the lawyer's deficient consultation, he would have timely appealed. The
Government contends that Petitioner's motion and the memorandum that
accompanies it acknowledge that counsel talked with Petitioner about an appeal
and recommended against it. And, the Government contends, Petitioner did not
allege that he expressly instructed his lawyer to appeal after his lawyer
recommended against it. Thus, the Government says, Petitioner has not shown
that he was prejudiced by his lawyer's actions or inactions.
14
These initial contentions need not detain us long because we are construing the
pleadings of a pro se petitioner, and we must construe them liberally.
Tannenbaum v. United States, 148 F.3d 1262, 1263 (11th Cir.1998). So
construed, they allege that counsel was asked to appeal, but failed to do so.1
Indeed, the district court construed Petitioner's filings to allege that he explicitly
asked his attorney to appeal. (R.1-6 at 4.) The district court noted, "[P]etitioner
alleges he informed counsel that he wanted to appeal his sentence" and "his
counsel told him that he did not feel an appeal was the best course and
suggested he file a section 2255 motion." (R.1-5 at 9.) Petitioner's filings, the
Government suggests, affirmatively show that counsel consulted Petitioner
about appeal, and that Petitioner acquiesced in counsel's advice that appeal was
not the best course. To accept the Government's suggestion, we would have to
construe Petitioner's pleadings narrowly to conclude first, that counsel
adequately consulted Petitioner about appeal and second, that Petitioner
acquiesced in counsel's advice not to appeal. We decline to so construe
Petitioner's filings.
15
In Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674
(1984), the Court established a two-prong test for deciding whether a defendant
has received ineffective assistance of counsel. The defendant must show (1)
that counsel's performance failed to meet "an objective standard of
reasonableness," id. at 688, 104 S.Ct. at 2064; and (2) that the defendant's rights
were prejudiced as a result of the attorney's substandard performance. Id. at
693, 104 S.Ct. at 2067. In Roe v. Flores-Ortega, 528 U.S. 470, 120 S.Ct. 1029,
145 L.Ed.2d 985 (2000), the Court applied the Strickland test to a claim
involving an attorney's failure to file an appeal for a client.
16
The Court first reaffirmed the well-settled rule that an attorney who fails to file
an appeal on behalf of a client who specifically requests it acts in a
professionally unreasonable manner per se. Id. at 477, 120 S.Ct. at 1035 (citing
Rodriquez v. United States, 395 U.S. 327, 89 S.Ct. 1715, 23 L.Ed.2d 340
(1969)). The Court went on to hold that, even if a client has not made a specific
request of his attorney to file an appeal, a court must inquire whether the
attorney consulted with the client regarding the advantages and disadvantages
of appealing and made a reasonable effort to determine the client's wishes. Id.
at 478, 120 S.Ct. at 1035. If so, the attorney has only acted unreasonably if he
has ignored the client's wishes to appeal the case. Id. If not, the court must
further inquire whether the attorney had the affirmative duty to consult. Id. An
attorney has this duty when either (1) any rational defendant would want to
appeal, or (2) his particular client reasonably demonstrated an interest in
appealing. Id. at 480, 120 S.Ct. at 1036.
17
As to the second prong of the Strickland test, the Flores-Ortega Court held that
the failure to file an appeal that the defendant wanted filed denies the defendant
his constitutional right to counsel at a critical stage. Id. at 483, 120 S.Ct. at
1038. In such cases, prejudice is presumed because rather than being denied the
opportunity for a fair proceeding, the defendant is denied the opportunity for a
proceeding at all. Id. (citing Smith v. Robbins, 528 U.S. 259, 286, 120 S.Ct.
746, 765, 145 L.Ed.2d 756 (2000); Penson v. Ohio, 488 U.S. 75, 88-89, 109
S.Ct. 346, 354, 102 L.Ed.2d 300 (1988); United States v. Cronic, 466 U.S. 648,
659, 104 S.Ct. 2039, 2047, 80 L.Ed.2d 657 (1984)). Accordingly, to satisfy the
prejudice prong of the Strickland test, a defendant who shows that his attorney
has ignored his wishes and failed to appeal his case need only demonstrate that,
but for the attorney's deficient performance, he would have appealed. FloresOrtega, 528 U.S. at 484, 120 S.Ct. at 1038.
18
The pleadings in this case allege that Petitioner made an initial request of his
attorney to file an appeal. They also allege that his attorney then responded that
an appeal was not his best option, recommending a 2255 motion instead.
19
The pleadings are insufficient to indicate whether Petitioner's first expression to

his attorney of his desire to appeal triggered the per se duty to appeal outlined in
Flores-Ortega. See id. at 477, 120 S.Ct. at 1035. It is also unclear from the
pleadings whether, if this statement was not sufficient to trigger the per se duty,
the attorney actually consulted with Petitioner regarding the propriety of an
appeal, rather than simply expressing his disagreement and making Petitioner's
decision for him. However, if the allegations in the pleadings are true, the
attorney had the affirmative duty to consult with Petitioner and to try to
determine his wishes. Even assuming that a rational defendant would not have
wanted to appeal the case, Petitioner alleges that he expressly communicated to
his attorney his desire to appeal. In such circumstances, Flores-Ortega
mandates that the attorney conduct a specific type of consultation, informing
his client about the advantages and disadvantages of appealing and making a
reasonable effort to determine the client's wishes. Id. at 487, 120 S.Ct. at 1040.
The district court erred in declining to hold an evidentiary hearing to establish
the content of the communications between Petitioner and his attorney.
20
On remand, the district court is instructed to determine (1) whether Petitioner's

initial statement of his desire to appeal was sufficient to trigger the per se duty
to appeal outlined in Flores-Ortega; and (2) if not, whether Petitioner's attorney
fulfilled his constitutional duty to consult with his client and to make a
reasonable effort to determine Petitioner's wishes, and whether he acted in
accordance with those wishes.
B.
21
Petitioner contends that the district court erred in holding that the limited
appeal waiver that he signed bars any right he would otherwise have to an outof-time appeal as a remedy in this case. As we have noted, the district court's
order dismissing the motion without an evidentiary hearing is grounded on the
holding that the limited appeal waiver bars relief. Petitioner, the court said,
"has not identified the appellate issues he wished to have raised on direct
appeal." (R.1-5 at 11.) Petitioner contends that he had no obligation to
demonstrate that there were arguably meritorious grounds for appeal that fell
within the exceptions in the appeal waiver. In the district court, the
Government argued that the limited appeal waiver barred relief in this case
because Petitioner had not identified any non-frivolous grounds for appeal that
fell within the exceptions in the appeal waiver. It is not clear that the
Government makes this argument on appeal. Construing its briefs liberally,
however, we will assume that it does.
22
If the evidence establishes either that Petitioner's attorney acted contrary to his
client's wishes, or that he failed to fulfill his duty to attempt to determine his
client's wishes, prejudice is to be presumed, and Petitioner is entitled to an outof-time appeal, regardless of whether he can identify any arguably meritorious
grounds for appeal that would fit one of the exceptions contained in his appeal
waiver.
23
The district court concluded, based on the mere existence of Petitioner's appeal
waiver, that counsel could not have rendered professionally unreasonable
performance by his inaction. (R.1-6 at 5.) The court assumed that, in light of
the waiver, any appeal filed on behalf of Petitioner would have been futile.
(R.1-6 at 5.) The court also agreed with the Government that Petitioner, as part
of his 2255 motion, was required to specify grounds for his appeal that would
fit one of the exceptions to his appeal waiver. (R.1-6 at 5 n.5.) Supreme Court
precedent suggests that Petitioner had no such duty. Flores-Ortega, 528 U.S. at
486, 120 S.Ct. at 1040. ("We similarly conclude here that it is unfair to require
an indigent, perhaps pro se, defendant to demonstrate that his hypothetical
appeal might have had merit.... Rather, we require the defendant to demonstrate
that, but for counsel's deficient conduct, he would have appealed.") (emphasis
in original).
24
The reasoning in Flores-Ortega applies with equal force where, as here, the
defendant has waived many, but not all, of his appellate rights. The Tenth
Circuit has recently considered a case nearly identical to this one and has drawn
the same conclusions. United States v. Garrett, 402 F.3d 1262 (10th Cir.2005).
In Garrett, the defendant executed a waiver of his rights to appeal or
collaterally attack his sentence, except in two limited cases: (1) if the court
were to issue an upward departure, or (2) if the Supreme Court or the Tenth
Circuit were to decide a case bearing on his sentence and make it apply
retroactively. Id. at 1264 n. 2. The record in Garrett appears to have been
remarkably similar to that in the case before us, in that it was unclear whether
the defendant had clearly asked his attorney to appeal his sentence. Id. at 1266. 2
The court held that, since the defendant had not waived all of his appellate
rights, if the evidence showed that he had asked his attorney to appeal, he
would be entitled to an out-of-time appeal. Id. at 1266-67. The court then
remanded for an evidentiary hearing to determine what the defendant told his
attorney. Id. at 1267.
25
We agree with the Tenth Circuit's application of Flores-Ortega to cases

involving appeal waivers. Accordingly, we vacate the judgment of the district
court and remand for an evidentiary hearing.
IV. Conclusion
26
The judgment dismissing this 2255 motion is VACATED, and the action is
REMANDED to the district court for further proceedings consistent with this
opinion.
27
VACATED AND REMANDED.
Notes:
1
The memorandum accompanying Petitioner's motion, which was explicitly

incorporated in the motion by reference, alleges that "counsel deprived
Petitioner of his Fifth and Sixth Amendment constitutional rights to appeal,
effective assistance of counsel, and due process of law, when failing to file a
timely notice of appeal, and failing to perfect the requested appeal." (R.1-2 at
7.)
The only factual difference betweenGarrett and this case is that in Garrett, it
was clear that the attorney had actually consulted with his client. Only what
was said was unclear.

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433 F.

Francisco GOMEZ-DIAZ, a.k.a. Jose Gomer, a.k.a. Joe Robert

United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit.

Rebecca Bowen Creed (Court-Appointed), Mills & Carlin, P.A.,

Francisco Gomez-Diaz ("Petitioner") filed a timely 28 U.S.C. 2255 motion

It is well-settled that a lawyer who disregards instructions from his client to

Petitioner was convicted, following his guilty plea, of conspiracy to distribute

Petitioner was sentenced to 188 months' imprisonment and four years of

Petitioner's pro se 2255 motion and accompanying memorandum claim that

II. Issues on Appeal and Standard of Review

This court granted Petitioner's motion for a certificate of appealability on the

We review de novo a district court's legal conclusions in a 28 U.S.C. 2255

In Part A of this discussion, we consider whether Petitioner is entitled to an

Petitioner contends that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel on

The pleadings are insufficient to indicate whether Petitioner's first expression to

On remand, the district court is instructed to determine (1) whether Petitioner's

We agree with the Tenth Circuit's application of Flores-Ortega to cases

VACATED AND REMANDED.

The memorandum accompanying Petitioner's motion, which was explicitly

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