What is a “Waiver of Rights”?

Before any judge can accept a plea of guilty or a plea of not guilty agreed statement of facts, the judge must first ensure that you are making a knowing and voluntary decision. The judge does this by what is commonly referred to as a "waiver of rights." There are 4 basic ways that the Court makes sure the defendant properly understands his/her rights:

• The judge will verbally go through the waiver of rights with each defendant individually.
• The defendant's attorney will verbally go through the waiver of rights with his/her own client.
• Multiple defendants are lined up and a single defense attorney/public defender goes through the waiver of rights as a group. (Baltimore City Circuit Court)
• The defendant goes over a written form with his/her attorney and signs prior to the Court accepting a plea.

An example of the language found in a written "Waiver of Rights" in the Howard County District Court and Carroll County District Courts:

1. I know that I am charged with a crime for which I could be put in jail.

2. I know that I am giving up the following important rights by entering a plea of guilty:

(a.) The right to a trial by jury of 12 fair and impartial citizens from ____________ County chosen randomly from the rolls who are eligible to vote and drive and who unanimously would have to find me guilty or not guilty.

(b.) The right to be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt whether by judge or by jury,

(c.) The right to face and cross-examine the witnesses against me.

(d.) The right to call witnesses on my own.

(e.) The right to testify in my own defense.

(f.) The right to remain silent and not have that silence considered against me.

3. If I am not a citizen of the United States, I am aware that this plea could affect my immigration status in this country, and there may be additional consequences such as deportation, detention or ineligibility for citizenship due to my guilty plea.

4. If I am currently on parole or probation, this plea could affect that probation.

5. Read each Statement and initial the boxes as they apply to you.

6. I certify that I have not been threatened or forced by anyone to enter this plea, and I am not under the influence of any drug, alcohol, or other intoxicant at this time.

7. I have had the opportunity to fully consider this decision, and I enter the plea of guilty freely and voluntarily because I am guilty of the crime(s) with which I am charged. I understand that the judge will likely accept my guilty plea and then will then sentence me.

8. I am satisfied with the services of my lawyer.

9. I understand the plea agreement which has been announced in open Court. Other than the plea agreement, I certify that no one other than a representative of the State of Maryland has made any promises or inducements to cause me to plead guilty or to indicate what sentence I may receive.

10. These matters have been explained to me.

Only after all of these rights have been acknowledged by the defendant, will a judge allow a plea of guilty to be entered in a case.​

Are you currently charged with DUI, driving while suspended (DWS), speeding, or any other traffic-related offense, get your case evaluated by Scott Athen.