State v. Brown

OPINION

HURWITZ, Justice.

¶ 1 The issue in this case is whether a defendant’s statements during a plea colloquy relieve the State of its obligation under Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000), and its progeny to prove aggravating factors to a jury. We conclude that the Sixth Amendment requires that “any fact that increases the penalty for a crime beyond the prescribed statutory maximum must be submitted to a jury, and proved beyond a reasonable doubt,” id. at 490, 120 S.Ct. 2348, unless a defendant has knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently waived his…