Lawrence v. Guyer

*2**224¶1 Representing himself, Joseph Edward Lawrence filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus asserting he is entitled to relief because he pleaded guilty to two sexual offenses pursuant to North Carolina v. Alford , 400 U.S. 25, 91 S.Ct. 160, 27 L.Ed.2d 162 (1970), in violation of § 46-12-204(4), MCA, which provides that a "court may not accept a plea of nolo contendere in a case involving a sexual offense[.]" This Court ordered a response from the State. The State filed its response and the matter is now ready for decision.

¶2 In August 2012, the State charged Lawrence in the…