Delano Marco Medina

Summary

The court held that a defendant may enter an Alford plea and waive establishment of a factual basis under Crim. P. 11(b)(6), so long as the plea is voluntary, knowing, and intelligent. Strong evidence of actual guilt is a procedural means of evaluating those requirements, not an independent constitutional prerequisite. Applying that rule, the court affirmed because Medina understood the plea's consequences and chose it to obtain substantial benefits under the plea agreement.