People v. Higgins

Defendant pled guilty to three counts of aggravated battery to a child and was sentenced to concurrent prison terms of 20 years, 20 years, and 5 years. On direct appeal, defendant argued that the trial court erred by failing to admonish him of the terms of his negotiated plea pursuant to SCR 402(a) and that post-plea counsel did not comply with SCR 604(d). The appellate court disagreed and affirmed, finding that the trial court complied with Rule 402 and that the record did not support defendant’s contentions that the Rule 504(d) certification was false. (KNECHT, concurring and LANNERD, specially concurring)