State v. Slaton

Bernes, Judge.

Michael Slaton entered into a nonnegotiated Alford plea for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Alleging that Slaton had six prior convictions involving both simple possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, the state filed a notice of aggravation of sentence pursuant to OCGA § 17-16-4 (a) (5) and notice of intent to seek recidivist punishment pursuant to OCGA §§ 16-13-30 and 17-10-7.

At the plea hearing, the state continued to assert that Slaton was a recidivist, but failed to submit any proof of the alleged prior convictions.…