Moore v. Commissioner of Correction

Summary

The court held that defense counsel must correct a defendant's expressed and material misunderstanding of sentencing law when it influences the decision whether to accept a plea offer or proceed to trial. The petitioner nevertheless failed to establish ineffective assistance because the habeas court credited counsel's testimony that he likely explained that sentence enhancements would apply even to a conviction for the lesser included offense. The court therefore affirmed the dismissal of the appeal.