Commonwealth v. Cartagena

On July 20, 1999, Marcial Cartagena, the defendant, pleaded guilty to a complaint that charged him with indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of fourteen. After the defendant was sworn, the judge, before conducting the plea colloquy, warned the defendant:

“If you’re not a United States citizen there could be immigration or deportation consequences as a result of a criminal conviction. It could result in your deportation or if you were to leave the country, your inability to return. Do you understand that, sir?”

The defendant answered, “Yes.” The judge continued, asking whether…