California Court of Appeal June 10, 2008, B203329 (People v. Coulter)

Opinion

YEGAN, J.

— Here we hold that in accepting a guilty plea, a trial court, with the express or implied consent of the defendant, may put the issue of a factual basis for the plea over to the sentencing hearing. As we shall explain, in this situation the reason for the rule is satisfied and any error in the timing of the inquiry is harmless.