What is the effect of pleading no contest to a charge of continuous sexual abuse?

On August 12, 2015, appellant entered a plea of no contest to the single charge of continuous sexual abuse count. In doing so, appellant stipulated to the factual basis for his plea and acknowledged his understanding that, among other things, by pleading no contest he would be sentenced to 12 years in state prison and have to serve 85 percent of his sentence. After being appropriately instructed by the trial court, appellant then voluntarily waived his right to a jury trial. Nonetheless, on October 20, 2015, appellant made a motion for new counsel pursuant to People v. Marsden (1970) 2 Cal.3d 118, and indicated a desire to withdraw his plea.² The trial court, after a hearing, denied his motion, and appellant thereafter abandoned his motion to withdraw the plea.

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