New York Court of Appeals

People v. Padilla-Zuniga

March 18, 202543 N.Y.3d 1049

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals reversed the Appellate Division, holding that the defendant’s challenge to the validity of his guilty plea was preserved despite a waiver because he had no practical ability to object to mandatory fines before sentencing, and that the court’s failure to advise him of those fines rendered the plea involuntary, requiring vacatur. The case was remanded for further proceedings.