From Casetext: Smarter Legal Research

State v. Rivera

Superior Court of Delaware, for New Castle County
Aug 25, 2005
ID#: 9503004907 (Del. Super. Ct. Aug. 25, 2005)

Opinion

ID#: 9503004907.

Submitted: July 26, 2005.

Decided: August 25, 2005.


ORDER


1. Pursuant to Superior Court Criminal Rule 35(a), on July 13, 2005, Defend ant, pro se, filed a motion for correction of an illegal sentence. Rivera also asks for court-appointed counsel and an evidentiary hearing.

2. In 1995, after the Attorney General filed a motion to declare Rivera a habitual offender, the court found that Rivera had been convicted of the necessary predicate offenses, declared him to be a habitual offender and sentenced him as required by 11 Del. C. § 4214(b).

3. Now, Rivera claims that the Attorney General has been selectively enforcing the habitual offender statute. Specifically, Rivera alleges: "for many years prosecutors have been targeting 11 Del. C. § 4214 towards certain individuals, primary blacks and Hispanics."

4. So far, Rivera's allegation is entirely conclusory. Other than that he was prosecuted under 11 Del. C. § 4214 and he is Hispanic, Rivera offers no support for his very serious claim. Therefore, as it stands, Defendant has not offered anything justifying relief, including a hearing. Morover, the claim falls under Superior Court Criminal Rule 61, not Rule 35. And on its face, the claim is too late. It is time-barred under Superior Court Criminal Rule 61 (i)(3).

Monroe v. State, 843 A.2d 696 (Del. 2004) (Table).

5. Defendant's motion is DENIED , without prejudice to Defendant's providing specific reasons for his claim that in 1995 he was subjected to selective enforcement of the habitual offender statute. If Defendant can show that his motion is based on more than a self-serving assumption, the court will reconsider whether an evidentiary hearing and appointment of counsel is appropriate. If, after thirty (30) days, Rivera fails to supplement his motion as called for here, the dismissal shall be with prejudice.

IT IS SO ORDERED.


Summaries of

State v. Rivera

Superior Court of Delaware, for New Castle County
Aug 25, 2005
ID#: 9503004907 (Del. Super. Ct. Aug. 25, 2005)
Case details for

State v. Rivera

Case Details

Full title:STATE OF DELAWARE v. ANDRE A. RIVERA, Defendant

Court:Superior Court of Delaware, for New Castle County

Date published: Aug 25, 2005

Citations

ID#: 9503004907 (Del. Super. Ct. Aug. 25, 2005)