Form 28 Telephonic Guilty Plea/No Contest Plea Proceedings

When someone wants to plead guilty or no contest to a crime, they can do it over the phone instead of appearing in person in the courtroom. This only works if the judge agrees to allow it and if the right equipment is available to make the call work properly.

During the phone call, the judge will ask the person a series of questions to make sure they understand what they are agreeing to. The person must show they know their rights, understand the charges against them, and are making the plea freely without anyone forcing them. A lawyer should still be part of this process.

Everything said during the phone call is treated the same as if it happened in a courtroom. The court will keep a record of the proceeding just like any other court hearing.