Vidal v. State

The defendant appeals his conviction and sentence to four years in the state prison for the unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. At trial, the defendant, who was represented by the Public Defender, stipulated to the fact of his conviction for a prior felony. He was found guilty and sentenced to two years imprisonment.

Thereafter, he moved for a new trial upon the ground that he had misapprehended the effect of his stipulation. The Public Defender joined in the motion upon the ground that he ^might have “misled the defendant'.” Out of an abundance of caution, the trial judge…