State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Respondent v. Kaa'wone Johnson, Defendant-Appellant

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey held that the mandatory three‑year parole supervision period imposed by the No Early Release Act (NERA) is a direct, penal consequence of a guilty plea and that failure to inform the defendant of this consequence permits the defendant to seek vacatur of the plea. The Court reversed the Appellate Division and remanded for a materiality hearing.