Ex Parte Clay

Mary Louise Clay was charged with first degree theft of services in Madison County. She pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second degree theft of services and received a sentence of a year and a day in the penitentiary. The Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed, without issuing an opinion.553 So.2d 137 (Ala.Crim.App. 1989). We issued our writ of certiorari to determine whether the trial court erred in failing to inquire about a plea bargain and in refusing Clay's timely request to withdraw her guilty plea.

Clay was indicted for first degree theft of services in violation of Alabama Code 1975,…