People v. Rivera

This case presents question as to whether plain error doctrine applied to permit Appellate Court to review defendant’s contention that certain inculpatory plea-bargain-related statements were improperly admitted at trial where defendant had failed to preserve said issue on appeal and did not object to usage of said statements at trial? Appellate Court found that introduction of defendant’s statements offering to confess to crime in exchange for guarantee that he would receive probation was improper under Rule 402(f) where defendant exhibited subjective expectation to negotiate plea and where said expectation was reasonable. Ct. further held that it could reach merits of instant issue under second prong of plain error doctrine.