State v. Hemdani

Melton, Justice.

Following the grant of habeas corpus relief to Ameer Hemdani, the State appeals, contending that the habeas court erred by finding that Hemdani’s guilty plea to one count of sexual battery and one count of simple battery were not knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently made. We affirm.

In habeas proceedings, the State bears the burden of showing that a challenged guilty plea was knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently entered. To satisfy this burden, the State may point to evidence on the record of the guilty plea hearing that the defendant was fully informed and cognizant…