Opinion ID: 2637006
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Potential loss of professional licenses

Text: We also conclude that the failure to advise Nollette that he might lose his professional licenses does not invalidate his plea. Like other jurisdictions that have considered the issue, we hold that the loss of a professional license or employment is not a direct consequence of a guilty plea. [26] Our holding is based on the fact that the revocation of a professional license is not a form of punishment imposed by the trial court. [27] Instead, like other collateral consequences, the revocation of a professional license or the termination of employment is the result of an action taken by a government agency or private entity. Such a consequence is unrelated to the defendant's sentence and personal to the circumstances of each defendant. [28] In so holding, we reject Nollette's contention that our prior precedent, particularly State v. District Court, compels a conclusion that the potential loss of a professional certification or license is a direct consequence of a guilty plea. [29] In District Court, we affirmed a district court's ruling granting a presentence motion to withdraw a guilty plea, relying upon the fact that presentence motions may be granted at the discretion of the district court for any reason that is fair and just. [30] Notably, in District Court, we did not consider a post-sentencing challenge to the validity of a guilty plea, or whether the potential loss of a license was a direct or a collateral consequence of a guilty plea. Accordingly, District Court is inapplicable to the instant matter. Because we conclude that the potential loss of a professional license is a collateral consequence of a guilty plea, an advisement with respect to this consequence is not constitutionally compelled. Accordingly, we conclude that Nollette's guilty plea is not constitutionally infirm due to the district court's failure to advise him of the likelihood of losing his professional licenses.