The People of the State of New York v. Felix Hernandez

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals affirmed the Appellate Division’s denial of the defendant’s motion to vacate his guilty plea, holding that he failed to demonstrate the requisite prejudice under Strickland’s second prong. The Court also held that Padilla v. Kentucky does not create a new prejudice standard, and it noted that the case’s discussion of a "rationality" test is dicta. Justice Pigott dissented, arguing that the defendant showed prejudice and that the plea should be vacated.