State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Appellant v. Carlos Rafael Sainz, Defendant-Respondent

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey affirmed the Appellate Division, holding that trial courts must explicitly determine and weigh aggravating and mitigating factors when sentencing for Controlled Dangerous Substances Act violations, and that appellate review of plea‑bargain sentences follows the Roth standards without being limited to the factual basis of the plea. The Court also rejected the notion that a waiver of appeal is required in a plea agreement and clarified that sentencing discretion may consider evidence beyond the defendant's admissions.