Commonwealth v. Estrada

Before us are cross appeals arising from a District Court judge’s ruling on the defendant’s motion for new trial and to vacate his admissions to sufficient facts. The Commonwealth appeals from the judge’s order vacating the defendant’s admissions for failure to inquire during the colloquy “if he had any drugs or alcohol in his system.” The defendant appeals from the judge’s ruling that his admissions were intelligent and voluntary, and from the judge’s failure to rule on his claim of ineffective assistance of counsel.

We conclude that the judge erred in vacating the admissions because of the…