Stevenson v. State

*25ON WRIT OF CERTIORARI

MOORE, Justice:

Petitioner pled guilty to thirteen counts of forgery then filed this application for post-conviction relief (PCR) which was denied. We granted a writ of certiorari to review the denial of relief and now reverse.

FACTS

Petitioner was not represented by counsel during her guilty plea proceeding. The plea judge told petitioner:

You have a right to a lawyer. You have a right to a trial by jury. You do not have to testify. The State is required to prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If you do not testify, I’d charge the jury they could not hold that against…