Haw. R. Pen. P. Form C

As amended through June 28, 2024
Form C - WAIVER OF PHYSICAL PRESENCE; SUBMISSION OF PLEA

IN THE ___________ COURT OF THE

___________ CIRCUIT

___________ DIVISION

WAIVER OF

PHYSICAL PRESENCE: SUBMISSION OF PLEA

Case Number:

STATE OF HAWAI'I vs. (DEFENDANT)

Police Report Number:

CHARGE(S): VIOLATION OF H.R.S. SECTION(S)

REVISED ORDINANCE SECTION(S)

AMENDED CHARGE(S):

In accordance with Rule 43, Hawai'i Rules of Penal Procedure:

1.

I understand that I have the right to be present at the arraignment, at pretrial proceedings, at the time I enter my plea and at my sentencing. I voluntarily waive (give up) my right to be physically present at all of these proceedings. I authorize my lawyer to represent me in all of these proceedings without my physical presence.

2.

I understand that face-to-face video conferencing might be necessary in order for the court to [ ] accept or [ ] defer my plea and [ ] impose or [ ] defer sentence.

3.

I understand that I have the right to address the court before I am sentenced and agree to do so via face-to-face video teleconferencing in lieu of me appearing in person before the court.

4.

I plead: [ ] GUILTY OR [ ] NO CONTEST

to the: [ ] ORIGINAL OR [ ] AMENDED charge(s) listed above.

5.

My birth year is ________and I am _____years old. The last four digits of my social security number are XXX-XX-________. I have completed _____years of education.

[ ] I speak, read, write, and understand the English language.

[ ] I do not speak, read, write, and understand the English language. This document was interpreted from English to ___________ (Insert Language).

6.

My mind is clear. I am not ill. I did not consume any substances which have affected my ability to understand this document or this proceeding.

7.

My lawyer explained the charge(s) against me. I understand the charge(s). I told my lawyer everything I know about the case. My lawyer explained the government's evidence against me, the facts which the government must prove in order to convict me and my possible defenses.

8.

I understand that by pleading guilty or no contest I give up my right to a trial by a jury or by the court. I understand that for misdemeanor and felony offenses in a jury trial:

a. Twelve members of the community make up a jury;

b. I may take part in jury selection;

c. A jury verdict must be unanimous; and

d. If I waive a jury trial, the judge alone will decide whether I am guilty or not guilty.

I further understand that in any trial,

a. the government is required to prove my guilt beyond a reasonable doubt;

b. I have the right to see, hear and question the witnesses who testify against me;

c. I have the right to call my own witnesses to testify for me, but I am not obligated to present any evidence in my own defense, nor can any conclusions be drawn against me for not presenting any evidence;

d. I have the right not to testify, and should I decide not to testify my decision cannot be used against me;

e. I have the right to testify even though my lawyer thinks I should not, and that the deputy prosecutor will be able to question me; and

f. The court would ask me whether my decision to testify or not testify was my own.

9.

I understand that the maximum penalties are: $ fine or days/months/year in jail or both. (If you are being prosecuted for multiple offenses, complete Form E [listing for multiple offenses].)

INITIAL ONE: I [ ] am [ ] am not on probation or parole; I know that this plea might provide a basis for revocation of my probation or parole.

10.

INITIAL ONE:

[ ] After discussing all the evidence and receiving advice from my lawyer, I plead GUILTY because (give a brief factual statement of what the Defendant did):

[ ] After discussing all the evidence and receiving advice from my lawyer, I plead NO CONTEST because I do not wish to contest the charge(s) against me.

11.

I offer my plea freely and voluntarily and with full understanding of all the matters set forth in the information, complaint, or indictment. No one is pressuring or threatening me or anyone close to me to force me to plead. I am not taking the blame or pleading to protect someone else from prosecution.

12.

INITIAL ONE:

[ ] I do not have any agreement with the government regarding my plea. No one has promised me any kind of deal or favor or leniency if I plead.

[ ] I have reached the following agreement with the government (give a brief statement):

INITIAL:

[ ] I understand that the court is not bound by this agreement. I understand that I will not be permitted to withdraw my plea if the court does not follow the agreement.

[ ] Other than the foregoing agreement with the government, no one has promised me any kind of deal or favor or leniency if I plead.

13.

I understand that the court is not required to grant any request for a deferred acceptance of a guilty or no contest plea.

14.

I consent to the court imposing sentence without me being physically present. If a presentence report is required by law, I waive (give up) my right to have a presentence report prepared and presented to the court. I further understand that non-compliance with the court's judgment or order will result in the issuance of a bench warrant, subjecting me to being arrested and having to appear in court.

15.

I understand that the court will read the following to me before accepting my plea:

If you are not a citizen of the United States, whether or not you have lawful immigration status, you have the right to receive advice from your lawyer about the specific impact that this case will have, if any, on your immigration status. The entry of a guilty or no contest plea, admission of guilt or sufficient facts, or conviction, deferred judgment, or deferred sentence might have the consequences of your immediate detention, deportation, exclusion from admission to the United States, or denial of naturalization pursuant to the laws of the United States. In some cases, detention and deportation from the United States will be required. Your lawyer must investigate and advise you about these issues prior to the commencement of trial, entry of a guilty or no contest [plea], or admission of guilt or sufficient facts to any offense punishable as a crime under state law, other than those offenses designated as infractions. You are not required to disclose your immigration or citizenship status to the court.

16.

I declare under penalty of perjury that I am the person charged with the offense(s) noted above and affix my fingerprint hereto. I further acknowledge that I signed this document after reviewing it with my lawyer. I am satisfied with my lawyer's advice and representation.

DATED this _________ day of ________________ , 20 ___.

Defendant's Signature: _______________

Address: _________________________

_________________________________

Telephone No.: _____________________

Defendant must affix right thumbprint in black ink

Defendant must attach a recent photograph showing Defendant's face as it will appear during video conference.

DECLARATION OF COUNSEL

As counsel for the defendant and as an officer of the Court, I certify the following:

1. I explained the defendant's right to be present.

2. The defendant represented to me that the defendant does not wish to be physically present and that the defendant consents to the court conducting the proceedings in the defendant's physical absence.

3. I read and explained this document to the defendant.

4. The statements contained herein conform with my understanding of the defendant's position.

5. I believe the defendant understands the document in its entirety.

6. The defendant's plea is voluntary.

7. The defendant understands the nature of the charge(s) and the possible consequences.

DATED this _________ day of ________________, 20 ___.

_____________________

Attorney for the Defendant

Approved and so ordered:

_____________________

Judge of the Above-Entitled Court

Haw. R. Pen. P. Form C

Added July 24, 1996, effective 8/26/1996; amended May 21, 2012, effective 7/1/2012; further amended August 25, 2020, effective 8/25/2020; amended May 5, 2021, effective 7/1/2021.