State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Respondent v. Jerry L. Bellamy, Defendant-Appellant

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey held that, before accepting a guilty plea to a predicate sexual offense, a trial court must inform the defendant of the possible civil commitment consequences under the Sexually Violent Predator Act. The Court reversed the Appellate Division and remanded for the trial court to allow the defendant to withdraw his plea in the interest of justice, applying the rule with limited retroactive effect.