---
title: "United States v. Dominguez Benitez"
citation: "United States v. Dominguez Benitez, 542 U.S. 74 (2004)"
authority_id: "AUTH-SCOTUS-DOMINGUEZ-BENITEZ-542-US-74"
authority_type: "case"
jurisdiction: "federal_nationwide"
precedential_status: "binding"
official_url: "https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-542/pdf/USREPORTS-542-74.pdf"
url: "https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/authorities/AUTH-SCOTUS-DOMINGUEZ-BENITEZ-542-US-74/"
legal_review: "2026-08-25"
links_checked: "2026-10-15"
links_available: 1
links_checked_count: 1
license: "CC BY 4.0"
---

# United States v. Dominguez Benitez

## Holding used

For an unpreserved Rule 11 error, the defendant must show a reasonable probability that absent the error the defendant would not have pleaded guilty.

## Material limitation

The whole record and the particular omitted advice control; preserved claims use a different allocation.

## Official source and pinpoints

542 U.S. 74, 76, 80–85 (2004): <https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USREPORTS-542/pdf/USREPORTS-542-74.pdf>


## Used in

- [Plea Negotiations, Plea Agreements, and Rule 11](https://jason93.com/legal/federal-process/modules/30-plea-and-trial/plea-negotiations-agreements-and-rule-11.md)