People v. Dawkins

Defendant was originally charged with second-degree murder. On August 1, 1969, he pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of manslaughter and was sentenced to a term of 12 to 15 years. Defendant appeals as of right and the plaintiff moves to affirm.

Defendant, relying on Boykin v. Alabama (1969), 395 US 238 (89 S Ct 1709, 23 L Ed 2d 274), claims that his conviction was invalid because the trial judge failed to specifically advise him as to his right against compulsory self-incrimination and his right to confront his accusers.

It should first be noted that defendant was represented by counsel at…