New Mexico v. Ramirez
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The crux of this appeal is whether Defendant Albert Ramirez knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily entered into his plea agreement with the State of New Mexico. At his plea hearing, Defendant expressed confusion about sentencing, the premeditation element of his first-degree murder charge and culpability for his assault and battery charges. Apparently recognizing Defendant's hesitation and confusion, the prosecutor asked the district court to inquire further on the record whether Defendant understood the plea and that he was "willfully" entering into the plea agreement. Although the district court acknowledged the need to do so, the court failed to adequately confirm on the record Defendant's understanding of the plea and its consequences as required by New Mexico law. Accordingly, the Supreme Court reversed and remanded the case to allow Defendant to withdraw his plea.
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