X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Kevin Matthews, Jr. appeals the post-sentencing denial of his motion to withdraw his plea of guilty to one count of aggravated battery Count 3, two counts of cruelty to children in the first degree Counts 4 & 5 , and one count of misdemeanor family violence battery Count 6 . All of these charges involved injuries to his infant son, including skull fractures, brain injuries, and loss of vision. Matthews’s sole enumeration of error is that the trial court abused its discretion in denying his motion to withdraw his plea. “After sentence is pronounced, whether to allow the withdrawal of a guilty plea lies within the trial court’s sound discretion, and we review the trial court’s decision for manifest abuse of that discretion.” Citation and footnote omitted. Weeks v. State , 260 Ga. App. 129 578 SE2d 910 2003.1 See also Rocha v. State , 287 Ga. App. 446, 449 2 651 SE2d 781 2007. “On a motion to withdraw a guilty plea, the trial court is the final arbiter of all factual issues raised by the evidence.” Citation and punctuation omitted. Caudell v. State , 262 Ga. App. 44, 45 1 584 SE2d 649 2003.

Additionally, when the validity of a guilty plea is challenged, the State bears the burden of showing that the plea was voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently made. The State may do this by showing through the record of the guilty plea hearing that 1 the defendant has freely and voluntarily entered the plea with 2 an understanding of the nature of the charges against him and 3 an understanding of the consequences of his plea. Citations and punctuation omitted. Johnson v. State , 260 Ga. App. 897, 899 1 581 SE2d 407 2003.

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
July 11, 2024
New York, NY

The National Law Journal Elite Trial Lawyers recognizes U.S.-based law firms performing exemplary work on behalf of plaintiffs.


Learn More
July 22, 2024 - July 24, 2024
Lake Tahoe, CA

GlobeSt. Women of Influence Conference celebrates the women who drive the commercial real estate industry forward.


Learn More
August 12, 2024 - August 13, 2024
Sydney, New South Wales

General Counsel Summit is the premier event for in-house counsel, hosting esteemed legal minds from all sectors of the economy.


Learn More

COLE SCHOTZ P.C. TRUSTS & ESTATES ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: NEW JERSEY OR NEW YORK OFFICES: Prominent mid-Atlantic la...


Apply Now ›

Post & Schell's Casualty Litigation Department is currently seeking an attorney with 2- 4 years of litigation experience, preferably in ...


Apply Now ›

A client focused Atlanta Personal Injury Law Firm is seeking an experienced, highly motivated, and enthusiastic personal injury attorney who...


Apply Now ›
06/21/2024
Daily Business Review

Full Page Announcement


View Announcement ›
06/14/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›