People v. Quesada

Opinion

SPARKS, J.

Penal Code section 1016.5 mandates the criminal courts, before accepting a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to most crimes, to advise the defendant of the consequences a conviction may have on a person who is not a citizen of the United States. The statutory admonition reads: “If you are not a citizen, you are hereby advised that conviction of the offense for which you have been charged may have the consequences of deportation, exclusion from admission to the United States, or denial of naturalization pursuant to the laws of the United States.” (Pen. Code, § 1016.5, subd.…