PCRA Primary Route for Late Withdrawal of Guilty Plea

In a decision issued yesterday, the Utah Court of Appeals reiterated that a criminal defendant must use the Post-Conviction Remedy Act (PCRA) to try to withdraw a guilty plea once sentencing has taken place. PCRA petitions can be costly and time-consuming, so many criminal defendants prefer to file for relief in criminal court. But the Court of Appeals' memorandum decision requires PCRA instead of a motion to withdraw a guilty plea.

State v. Tafui, 2015 UT App 118
http://www.utcourts.gov/opinions/appopin/State v. Taufui20150507.pdf