Matthew H Thomas Davis v. State of Indiana

Summary

The court dismissed Davis’s direct appeals because his signed plea agreement unambiguously waived appellate review of any sentence imposed within the agreement’s terms. Although the trial court incorrectly advised Davis that he retained a sentencing-appeal right, the court held that any resulting challenge to the knowing and voluntary nature of his guilty plea must be resolved first through post-conviction proceedings. If Davis proves that the misadvisement induced his plea, the conviction and entire plea agreement may be vacated.