People v. Hightower

Opinion

MOORE, Acting P. J.

Kenneth Hightower appeals from the judgment following his plea of nolo contendere to 15 counts of grand theft. (Pen. Code, § 487, subd. 1.) He claims the court erroneously denied his motion to withdraw the plea because he was never advised a nolo contendere plea was considered the same as a plea of guilty.

Facts

The charges against appellant arose from his solicitation and receipt of deposits on imported luxury automobiles he did not intend to provide. Before appellant’s preliminary hearing, in a conference with a judge of the superior court, a plea agreement was…