How have courts interpreted section 1018 of the California Criminal Code when a defendant makes a statement in open court that authorizes or adopts a motion to withdraw his plea?

"[C]ompliance with . . . section 1018 requires that a defendant make some expression in open court which authorizes or adopts a motion made on his [or her] behalf to withdraw his [or her] plea." (Johnson v. Superior Court (1981) 121 Cal.App.3d 115, 119, italics added.) We conclude defendant's hiring of counsel to prepare a motion to withdraw the plea and his multiple appearances at the hearings were sufficient to satisfy section 1018. The challenge to the denial of the motion to withdraw the plea has been preserved for appellate review.