ACCEPTANCE OF GUILTY OR NOLO

CONTENDERE PLEA (a) Voluntariness. Before accepting a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, the court shall determine that the plea is knowingly and voluntarily entered and that there is a factual basis for it. January 1, 2026 Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure Page 55 of 469 Counsel for the prosecution and the defense shall assist the court in this determination. (b) Open Court. All pleas shall be taken in open court, except the hearing may be closed as provided by law. (c) Determination by Court. The court, when making this determination, should place the child under oath and shall address the child personally. The court shall determine that the child understands each of the following rights and consequences of entering a guilty or nolo contendre plea: (1) Nature of the Charge. The nature of the charge to which the plea is offered and the possible dispositions available to the court. (2) Right to Representation. If the child is not represented by an attorney, that the child has the right to be represented by an attorney at every stage of the proceedings and, if necessary, one will be appointed. Counsel shall be appointed if the child qualifies for such appointment and does not waive counsel in writing subject to the requirements of rule 8.165. (3) Right to an Adjudicatory Hearing and Attendant Rights. That the child has the right to plead not guilty, or to persist in that plea if it had already been made, and that the child has the right to an adjudicatory hearing and at that hearing has the right to the assistance of counsel, the right to compel the attendance of witnesses on his or her behalf, the right to confront and cross- examine witnesses against him or her, and the right not to be compelled to incriminate himself or herself. (4) Effect of Plea. That, if the child pleads guilty or nolo contendere, without express reservation of the right to appeal, the right to appeal all matters relating to the judgment, including the issue of guilt or innocence, is relinquished, but the right to review by appropriate collateral attack is not impaired. (5) Waiving Right to an Adjudicatory Hearing. That, if the child pleads guilty or nolo contendere, there will not be a January 1, 2026 Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure Page 56 of 469 further adjudicatory hearing of any kind, so that by pleading so the right to an adjudicatory hearing is waived. (6) Questioning by Judge. That, if the child pleads guilty or nolo contendere, the court may ask the child questions about the offense to which the child has pleaded, and, if those questions are answered under oath, on the record, the answers may later be used against the child in a prosecution for perjury. (7) Terms of Plea Agreement. The complete terms of any plea agreement including specifically all obligations the child will incur as a result. (8) Sexual Offender Registration. That, if the child pleads guilty or nolo contendere to certain sexual offenses, the child may be required to register as a sexual offender. (9) Sexually Violent or Sexually Motivated Offenses. That, if the child pleads guilty or nolo contendere, and the offense to which the child is pleading is a sexually violent offense or a sexually motivated offense, or if the child has been previously adjudicated for such an offense, the plea may subject the child to involuntary civil commitment as a sexually violent predator on completion of his or her sentence. It shall not be necessary for the trial judge to determine whether the present or prior offenses were sexually motivated, as this admonition shall be given to all children in all cases. (10) Deportation Consequences. (A) If the child is not a citizen of the United States, the facts underlying the child’s plea and the court’s acceptance of the plea of guilty or nolo contendere, regardless of whether adjudication of guilt has been withheld, may have the additional consequences of changing his or her immigration status, including deportation or removal from the United States, pursuant to the laws of the United States. January 1, 2026 Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure Page 57 of 469 (B) The court should advise the child to consult with counsel if he or she needs additional information concerning the potential deportation consequences of the plea. (C) If the child has not discussed the potential deportation consequences with his or her counsel, prior to accepting the child’s plea, the court is required, upon request, to allow a reasonable amount of time to permit the child to consider the appropriateness of the plea in light of the advisement described in this subdivision. (D) This admonition should be given to all children in all cases, and the trial court must not require at the time of entering a plea that the child disclose his or her legal status in the United States. (d) Acknowledgment by Child. Before the court accepts a guilty or nolo contendere plea, the court must determine that the child either: (1) acknowledges guilt; or (2) acknowledges that the plea is in the child’s best interest, while maintaining innocence. (e) Of Record. These proceedings shall be of record. (f) When Binding. Prior to the court’s acceptance of a plea, the parties must notify the court of any plea agreement and may notify the court of the reasons for the plea agreement. Thereafter, the court must advise the parties whether the court accepts or rejects the plea agreement and may state its reasons for a rejection of the plea agreement. No plea offer or negotiation is binding until it is accepted by the court after making all the inquiries, advisements, and determinations required by this rule. Until that time, it may be withdrawn by either party without any necessary justification. (g) Withdrawal of Plea When Judge Does Not Concur. If the trial judge does not concur in a tendered plea of guilty or nolo contendere arising from negotiations, the plea may be withdrawn. January 1, 2026 Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure Page 58 of 469 (h) Failure to Follow Procedures. Failure to follow any of the procedures in this rule shall not render a plea void, absent a showing of prejudice. Committee Notes 1991 Amendment. (a)(6) This creates a procedure for dismissal similar to Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.190(c)(4). 1992 Amendments. (d) Rules 8.240(c)(2) and 8.630(c)(2) allow 5 days for service by mail. This change conforms this rule. (f) The current rule implies that a written pleading must be filed. No written pleadings are required. (e) and (g) The language from (e) was moved to create this new subdivision. The current rule applies only to attorneys. These requirements also should apply to nonattorneys who sign and file papers. This rule conforms with proposed revisions to rules 8.230 and 8.640. E. MOTIONS AND SERVICE OF PLEADINGS