Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
The PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Ismael GARCIA, Appellant.
OPINION OF THE COURT
The order of the Appellate Division should be affirmed.
On appeal, defendant contends that since he was misinformed about the maximum sentence to which he was exposed, his guilty plea was not knowing, intelligent, and voluntary. Whether a plea was knowing, intelligent and voluntary is dependent upon a number of factors “including the nature and terms of the agreement, the reasonableness of the bargain, and the age and experience of the accused” (People v. Hidalgo, 91 N.Y.2d 733, 736, 675 N.Y.S.2d 327, 698 N.E.2d 46). That the defendant allegedly received inaccurate information regarding his possible sentence exposure is another factor which must be considered by the court, but it is not, in and of itself, dispositive.
The record demonstrates that the length of the sentence was but one of many elements considered by the defendant before the plea was accepted. It is also true, on the facts presented here, that the defendant, arguably, could have received a consecutive sentence as his attorney advised him. Thus, it cannot be said, as a matter of law, that defendant's plea of guilty was not knowing, intelligent and voluntary. Defendant's remaining contentions are without merit.
Order affirmed in a memorandum.
MEMORANDUM.
KAYE, C.J., and TITONE, BELLACOSA, SMITH, LEVINE, CIPARICK and WESLEY, JJ., concur.
Thank you for your feedback!
As the largest network of trusted legal brands, we help firms build authority across the platforms consumers and AI systems rely on most. Our network helps attorneys strengthen visibility, credibility, and preference where legal decisions begin.
Decided: July 09, 1998
Court: Court of Appeals of New York.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)