Utah Code 77-2a-3. Manner of entry of plea — Powers of court
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(1)
Terms Used In Utah Code 77-2a-3
- Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- Criminal conduct: means the same as that term is defined in Section 77-38b-102. See Utah Code 77-2a-1
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
- Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
- Plea in abeyance: means an order by a court, upon motion of the prosecuting attorney and the defendant, accepting a plea of guilty or of no contest from the defendant but not, at that time, entering judgment of conviction against the defendant nor imposing sentence upon the defendant on condition that the defendant comply with specific conditions as set forth in a plea in abeyance agreement. See Utah Code 77-2a-1
- Plea in abeyance agreement: means an agreement entered into between the prosecuting attorney and the defendant setting forth the specific terms and conditions upon which, following acceptance of the agreement by the court, a plea may be held in abeyance. See Utah Code 77-2a-1
- Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
- Process: means a writ or summons issued in the course of a judicial proceeding. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5
- Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
- Restitution: means the same as that term is defined in Section 77-38b-102. See Utah Code 77-2a-1
- Victim: means the same as that term is defined in Section 77-38b-102. See Utah Code 77-2a-1
(1)(a) Acceptance of any plea in anticipation of a plea in abeyance agreement shall be done in full compliance with the Utah Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 11.
(1)(b) In cases charging offenses for which bail may be forfeited, a plea in abeyance agreement may be entered into without a personal appearance before a magistrate.
(2) A plea in abeyance agreement may provide that the court may, upon finding that the defendant has successfully completed the terms of the agreement:
(2)(a) reduce the degree of the offense and enter judgment of conviction and impose sentence for a lower degree of offense; or
(2)(b) allow withdrawal of defendant’s plea and order the dismissal of the case.
(3)
(3)(a) Upon finding that a defendant has successfully completed the terms of a plea in abeyance agreement, the court may reduce the degree of the offense or dismiss the case only as provided in the plea in abeyance agreement or as agreed to by all parties.
(3)(b) Upon sentencing a defendant for any lesser offense in accordance with a plea in abeyance agreement, the court may not invoke Section 76-3-402 to further reduce the degree of the offense.
(4) The court may require the Department of Corrections to assist in the administration of the plea in abeyance agreement as if the defendant were on probation to the court under Section 77-18-105.
(5) The terms of a plea in abeyance agreement may include:
(5)(a) an order that the defendant pay a nonrefundable plea in abeyance fee, with a surcharge based on the amount of the plea in abeyance fee, both of which shall be allocated in the same manner as if paid as a fine for a criminal conviction under Section 78A-5-110 and a surcharge under Title 51, Chapter 9, Part 4, Criminal Conviction Surcharge Allocation, and which may not exceed in amount the maximum fine and surcharge which could have been imposed upon conviction and sentencing for the same offense;
(5)(b) an order that the defendant pay the costs of any remedial or rehabilitative program required by the terms of the agreement; and
(5)(c) an order that the defendant comply with any other conditions that could have been imposed as conditions of probation upon conviction and sentencing for the same offense.
(6)
(6)(a) The terms of a plea in abeyance shall include:
(6)(a)(i) a specific amount of restitution that the defendant will pay, as agreed to by the defendant and the prosecuting attorney;
(6)(a)(ii) a certification from the prosecuting attorney that:
(6)(a)(ii)(A) the prosecuting attorney has consulted with all victims, including the Utah Office for Victims of Crime; and
(6)(a)(ii)(B) all victims, including the Utah Office for Victims of Crime, are not seeking restitution; or
(6)(a)(iii) an agreement between the parties that restitution will be determined by the court at a subsequent hearing in accordance with Section 77-38b-205.
(6)(b) At a subsequent hearing described in Subsection (6)(a)(iii), the court shall order the defendant, as a modified term of the plea in abeyance, to pay restitution to all victims for the entire amount of pecuniary damages that are proximately caused by the criminal conduct of the defendant.
(6)(c) The court shall collect, receive, process, and distribute payments for restitution to the victim, unless otherwise provided by law or by the plea in abeyance agreement.
(6)(d) If the defendant does not successfully complete the terms of the plea in abeyance, the court shall enter an order for restitution, in accordance with Chapter 38b, Crime Victims Restitution Act, upon entering a sentence for the defendant.
(7)
(7)(a) A court may not hold a plea in abeyance without the consent of both the prosecuting attorney and the defendant.
(7)(b) A decision by a prosecuting attorney not to agree to a plea in abeyance is final.
(8) No plea may be held in abeyance in any case involving:
(8)(a) a sexual offense against an individual who is under 14 years old; or
(8)(b) a driving under the influence violation under Section 41-6a-502, 41-6a-502.5, 41-6a-517, 41-6a-520, 41-6a-520.1, 41-6a-521.1, 76-5-102.1, or 76-5-207.