Supreme Court of Delaware
Pringle v. State
June 7, 2010996 A.2d 794
Summary
The Court vacated the denial of Pringle’s first postconviction motion because the Superior Court Commissioner applied the ordinary ineffective-assistance standard instead of the presumed-prejudice standard applicable to an alleged denial of counsel at a critical stage. The alleged critical stage was the hearing at which the court granted Pringle’s request to withdraw his guilty plea without allowing him to consult with appointed counsel. The Court remanded for appointment of counsel, renewed briefing, and a fact-finding hearing.