State v. Morales

OPINION

BALES, Justice.

¶ 1 Arizona Rule of Criminal Procedure 17.6 provides that “[wjhenever a prior conviction is charged, an admission thereto by the defendant shall be accepted only under the procedures of this rule, unless admitted by the defendant while testifying on the stand.” Rule 17 requires the judge to engage in a plea-type colloquy with the defendant to ensure that the admission is voluntary and intelligent. See Ariz. R.Crim. P. 17.2-.3. We hold that Rule 17.6 also requires such a colloquy when defense counsel stipulates to the existence of a prior conviction charged for purposes…