In State v. Thurman, 911 P.2d 371, 373 (Utah 1996) the Court explained that, to ensure that a defendant's plea is "'truly voluntary'" under the Constitution, the judge receiving the plea must "determine that the defendant 'possesses an understanding of the law in relation to the facts'" and must confirm "that the defendant understands the elements of the crime." Due process, therefore, requires that the defendant "possess an understanding of the law in relation to the facts" for a plea to be knowing and voluntary. Id.