State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Respondent v. John Tate, Defendant-Appellant

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey reversed the Appellate Division and vacated John Tate's guilty plea for fourth-degree child abuse because the trial court failed to obtain an adequate factual basis covering all statutory elements. The Court held that a plea must be supported by the defendant's own admission of the essential elements, including the habitual use of profane, indecent, or obscene language, and remanded the case for further proceedings.