State v. Hale

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The Supreme Court reversed the circuit court’s order rejecting the plea agreement between Defendant and the State.After Defendant and the State entered into a plea agreement the circuit court accepted Defendant’s guilty plea and the factual basis to support the plea. Two weeks later, the circuit court informed the parties that it intended to reject the plea agreement. The court then entered an order rejecting the plea agreement. Defendant appealed, arguing that the circuit court was bound by the plea agreement. The Supreme Court agreed, holding that because the circuit court at the time of the plea did not reject the agreement and did not defer its decision to accept or reject the agreement, the circuit court was required to sentence Defendant within the bounds of the plea agreement. The court remanded the case with directions to sentence Defendant in accordance with the agreement. View "State v. Hale" on Justia Law