[§802E-1]  Legislative findings and intent. 
The legislature finds that in many instances involving an individual who is not
a citizen of the United States charged with an offense punishable as a crime
under state law, a plea of guilty or nolo contendere is entered without the
defendant knowing that a conviction of such offense is grounds for deportation,
exclusion from admission to the United States, or denial of naturalization
pursuant to the laws of the United States.  Therefore, it is the intent of the
legislature in enacting this section to promote fairness to such accused
individuals by requiring in such cases that acceptance of a guilty plea or plea
of nolo contendere be preceded by an appropriate warning of the special
consequences for such a defendant which may result from the plea.  It is also
the intent of the legislature that the court in such cases shall grant the
defendant a reasonable amount of time to negotiate with the prosecuting agency
in the event the defendant or the defendant's counsel was unaware of the
possibility of deportation, exclusion from admission to the United States, or
denial of naturalization as a result of conviction.  It is further the intent
of the legislature that at the time of the plea no defendant shall be required to
disclose the defendant's legal status to the court. [L 1988, c 382, pt of §1]