Jul. 6, 2022 – People v. Manzanilla (2nd Dist., Div. 8, B313557)

The Court of Appeal reverses on three grounds the denial of a PC 1473.7 motion to vacate a conviction: (1) counsel failed to advise that the plea would trigger mandatory deportation; (2) counsel failed to seek an immigration-safe plea, which could have been achieved by a one-day reduction of the sentence; and (3) appellant did not understand he faced mandatory deportation when he entered his plea. Because the trial court made its decision entirely on written documents, the court applies the independent review standard. The court remands with instructions to grant the motion.

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