1
IN THE COUNTY COURT OF THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
IN AND FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA
CRIMINAL DIVISION
STATE OF FLORIDA
Plaintiff, Case No.:
Vs. Division: _________________
Defendant.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND WAIVER OF RIGHTS IN ABSENTIA
I, the undersigned defendant, am entering A PLEA OF NOLO CONTENDERE (NO CONTEST) OR
GUILTY, IN ABSENTIA, to the charges against me, and I knowledge the following:
1. I am pleading ______________________ to the charges of
______________________________ and I understand the maximum penalty provided
by law is:___________________________________________________________.
2. I understand that I have the right to be represented by an attorney at every stage of the
proceeding and, if necessary an attorney will be appointed to represent me. I have the
right to a jury trial and the right to an attorney’s help at that trial. I have the right to
compel attendance of witnesses on my behalf, the right to confront and cross-examine
witnesses against me, and the right not to testify or to incriminate myself. By pleading
guilty or nolo contendere, I understand that there will be no trial of any kind, and I am
waiving my right to a trial and will not be permitted to defend myself against the
charges.
3. I understand that by pleading guilty or nolo contendere, unless I expressly reserve the
right to appeal prior ruling of the Court, I give up the right to appeal all matters relating
to the Court’s judgment, including my guilt or innocence.
4. I understand that if I plead guilty or nolo contendere, the Judge may ask me questions
about the charges, and if I answer these questions under oath, on the record, and in the
presence of my lawyer, those answers could be used in any later prosecution for
perjury.
5. I admit that there is a factual basis for the charge(s) to which I am pleading, and feel my
plea to be in my best interests. I understand that I have a right in the courtroom to
speak to the Judge about my sentence after I have entered this plea.
6. I understand that if the Court accepts my plea to the charges listed in Paragraph 1, my
sentence will be:
The plea will be done in my absence and through my undersigned attorney.