Opinion ID: 2543706
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: change of plea hearing

Text: ¶ 6 M.R. and his mother appeared at this change of plea hearing as directed. At a recess during this proceeding, M.R.'s mother approached the prosecutor, objected to the reduced charge, and reiterated M.R.'s, and her own, desire to make a statement. [1] She later testified that she believed the prosecutor was going to inform the district court of her request. Acknowledging that he did not know that M.R. had a right to be heard either directly or through his legal guardian, the prosecutor maintained the following: (1) he did not intentionally deprive M.R. of his right to be heard at defendant's change of plea hearing, (2) he did not tell M.R.'s mother she and M.R. had no right to testify at the plea hearing, and (3) he told M.R.'s mother that she would eventually have an opportunity to address the court in the pre-sentence report and at the sentencing hearing. ¶ 7 Notwithstanding his conversations with M.R.'s mother, the prosecutor did not inform the district court that M.R. and his mother had requested to be heard at the change of plea hearing. M.R. and his mother also failed to bring the issue to the court's attention. The court therefore proceeded with defendant's change of plea hearing unaware of M.R.'s request. Noting the dramatic reduction in the charge, the court refused to be limited to the four-month sentence recommended in the stipulated plea agreement. The State and defendant responded to the court's concern by agreeing to delete the stipulated sentence provision. The court then accepted defendant's guilty plea to the class A misdemeanor charge and set the matter for sentencing.