In re the Personal Restraint of Murillo

Sv&eney, C.J.

¶1 RCW 9.94A.712 requires that a judge sentence a defendant convicted of first degree child molestation to the statutory maximum—life imprisonment. The sentencing court sets only a minimum term, within the standard range. RCW 9.94A.712. Ramon Murillo pleaded guilty to first degree child molestation. But the judge at the guilty plea hearing told him: “If you plead guilty to this charge, I will sentence you to prison and the range is 51 to 68 months. And I have to impose sentence within that range. I guess I can go low, but I cannot go above under the present law [referring to the…