Iowa City man allowed to enter another plea in indecent exposure case

An Iowa City man will have another chance to enter a plea in an indecent exposure case because he wasn't informed by the court of a special sentence in the case, the Iowa Court of Appeals ruled today.

Joel Hollingsworth, 42, pleaded guilty in Johnson Conuty District Court  May to indecent exposure, a serious misdemeanor, and sentenced to 180 days in jail and supervised probation for two years.

Hollingsworth was also required to serve a 10-year special sentence mandated by Iowa law requiring any person convicted of a sexual offense must also be under supervision, as if on parole, after the regular sentence is served.

On appeal, Hollingsworth claims he wasn't properly informed of the special sentence before he pleaded guilty.

The district court has a duty to ensure a defendant understands the direct consequences of a plea, according to the appeal. The special sentence is part of Hollingsworth's sentencing, and he should have been informed, the appeals court said.