Change Of Plea Hearing Experiences Problems

Christian Alexander Perez of Williston, N.D., was scheduled for two change of plea hearings in district court on Wednesday, July 14. When the hearings took place, however, Perez refused to admit guilt to the offenses.

Perez is facing charges for criminal possession of dangerous drugs and criminal possession with the intent to distribute drugs.

As part of the process of changing a plea to guilty, the defendant must explain what he did illegally. When that time came in the hearing, Perez said meth was found by law enforcement in a vehicle where he was a passenger. On the intent charge, Perez said he was the driver of a vehicle where enough meth was found that officials determined there was an intent to distribute.

“It was in the vehicle I was driving,” Perez said. He didn’t admit to knowing about the substance being in the vehicles prior to the arrests.

District Judge David J. Cybulski said that maybe Perez was interested in an Alford plea where a defendant isn’t admitting that he committed a crime but feels there’s enough evidence to find him guilty.

After Cybulski asked Perez if he believed that the county attorney had enough evidence to convict the defendant, Perez answered, “No.”

The judge said that he couldn’t accept Perez’ guilty plea.

“I feel Chris is still confused,” defense attorney Sally Kay Hickok said.

Another hearing will likely take place during August.

“You will need some more chats with your lawyer to decide what to do,” Cybulski said to Perez.