Opinion ID: 2638496
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Statutory Language and Legislative History

Text: We begin with the language of the statute as the most reliable indicator of legislative intent behind the passage of section 1192.5. ( Hunt v. Superior Court (1999) 21 Cal.4th 984, 1000, 90 Cal.Rptr.2d 236, 987 P.2d 705.) Again, the relevant portion of the statute states: The court shall also cause an inquiry to be made of the defendant to satisfy itself that the plea is freely and voluntarily made, and that there is a factual basis for the plea. (§ 1192.5.) The plain language requires that some inquiry be made of defendant, and that the court must satisfy itself (1) that the plea is freely and voluntarily made and (2) that there is a factual basis for the plea. No additional language details what will be sufficient to satisfy the requirement of a factual basis for the plea, though the connection of clauses (1) and (2) implies that inquiring about the factual basis for the plea is closely related to the plea's being freely and voluntarily made. Because the statutory language does not illuminate what is required to establish a factual basis for the plea, we next look to the legislative history behind the passage of section 1192.5. [3] Senate Bill No. 621 (1970 Reg. Sess.), as introduced on March 16, 1970, was designed to amend section 1192.3 and expand the availability of conditional pleas. (Legis. Counsel's Dig., Sen. Bill No. 621 (1970 Reg. Sess.), as introduced Mar. 16, 1970, pp. 1-2.) The original version of section 1192.5 would have cause[d] an inquiry to be made of the defendant to satisfy itself that the plea is freely and voluntarily made, and in the case of a guilty plea, that the defendant is pleading guilty because he is in fact guilty.  (Sen. Bill No. 621 (1970 Reg. Sess.) as introduced Mar. 16, 1970, italics added.) The final italicized clause was amended in committee to the present language of section 1192.5 before passage of the bill and signature by the Governor on September 15, 1970. (Stats.1970, ch. 1123, § 3, pp. 1992-1993.)