Form 28(a) Instructions for Completing the Form for Entering a “Guilty/No Contest Plea by Mail...

When someone wants to plead guilty or no contest to a minor criminal charge, they may be able to do it by mail instead of going to court in person. This option is only available for certain low-level offenses, so not everyone will qualify.

To use this process, you fill out a special form completely and honestly. The form asks about your rights, what you are giving up by not going to trial, and whether you understand the charge against you. You must sign the form in front of a notary public, who will verify your signature.

Once you complete and sign the form, you mail it to the court before your scheduled court date. If the judge accepts your plea, you will not need to appear in court. If the judge does not accept it, you will be told and will need to show up for your hearing as originally scheduled.