Commonwealth v. Edwards

HOFFMAN, Judge:

Appellant contends that he should be permitted to withdraw his guilty plea because the trial court, before accepting the plea, did not explain the nature and elements of the crime charged. We agree and, accordingly, reverse the order of the court and remand to afford appellant an opportunity to withdraw his plea.

On August 9,1977, appellant pleaded guilty to operating a lottery, 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 5512 (Supp.1978-79). After a plea colloquy, the trial court accepted the plea and, on October 12, 1977, sentenced appellant to a term of imprisonment of 1V2 to 3 years and a fine of…