STATE OF CONNECTICUT
SUPERIOR COURT
PLEA AGREEMENT
(This template is provided for attorney use and must be reviewed and tailored to the specific facts of each case before filing.)
[// GUIDANCE: Delete this comment block before filing. This template is drafted for use in Connecticut (“CT”) state criminal proceedings. It is designed to comply with the Connecticut Practice Book, Title 54 of the Connecticut General Statutes, and prevailing constitutional requirements. Counsel must confirm that all bracketed information is completed and that no local rule or standing order imposes additional obligations in the particular Judicial District at issue.]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Document Header
- Definitions
- Operative Provisions
- Representations & Warranties
- Covenants & Restrictions
- Default & Remedies
- Risk Allocation
- Dispute Resolution
- General Provisions
- Execution Block
(Hyper-links omitted for filing copies; add if electronically circulated.)
1. DOCUMENT HEADER
1.1 Title.
State of Connecticut v. [DEFENDANT FULL LEGAL NAME] (“Defendant”).
1.2 Parties.
(a) The “State” refers to the State of Connecticut, acting by and through the Office of the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of [JUDICIAL DISTRICT].
(b) “Defendant” refers to the individual identified above, represented by [DEFENSE COUNSEL NAME & JURIS NO.].
1.3 Effective Date.
This Plea Agreement (“Agreement”) is effective upon the later of (i) full execution by all Parties or (ii) acceptance by the Superior Court for the State of Connecticut (the “Court”) at the plea canvass (the “Effective Date”).
1.4 Recitals.
A. Defendant is the subject of criminal informations bearing Docket No. [DOCKET #] pending before the Court.
B. The Parties have engaged in plea negotiations and wish to resolve the charges identified herein without the necessity of trial, subject to Court approval.
C. Consideration for this Agreement includes Defendant’s waiver of certain constitutional rights and the State’s sentencing concessions as set forth below.
2. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated:
“Agreement” – this Plea Agreement, including all exhibits and schedules, as amended in writing.
“Applicable Law” – the Connecticut General Statutes, the Connecticut Practice Book, and the United States Constitution, as interpreted by controlling precedent.
“Court” – the Connecticut Superior Court, Criminal Division, presiding over the instant matter.
“Plea Hearing” – the judicial proceeding at which the Court canvasses Defendant, determines the voluntariness/factual basis of the plea, and rules on acceptance of the Agreement.
“Sentence” – the composite disposition set forth in Section 3.4.
3. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS
3.1 Plea.
Defendant agrees to plead [GUILTY / NOLO CONTENDERE] to the following count(s):
• Count [X]: Violation of [STATUTE & OFFENSE—e.g., Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-123 Larceny, 2nd Degree].
[// GUIDANCE: Insert list of counts to which Defendant will plead and ensure the statutory citation and elements are correct.]
3.2 Charges To Be Dismissed or Nolled.
Upon Defendant’s full performance of this Agreement and acceptance by the Court, the State shall enter a nolle prosequi or move to dismiss with prejudice the charges listed on Schedule A.
3.3 Factual Basis.
Defendant stipulates that the State could prove beyond a reasonable doubt the facts summarized on Schedule B, which the Parties incorporate by reference.
3.4 Agreed Sentence.
(a) Term of Incarceration: [X] years, execution suspended after [Y] years, followed by [Z] years of probation.
(b) Probation Conditions: Standard plus the special conditions in Schedule C.
(c) Fine: $[AMOUNT] plus mandatory fees and surcharges.
(d) Restitution: $[AMOUNT], payable per the schedule in Schedule D.
(e) Credit: Defendant shall receive statutory jail credit as determined by the Court.
[// GUIDANCE: Modify Section 3.4 to reflect any conditional or capped sentences (e.g., “open” plea with a cap, fully negotiated disposition, or conditional plea under Practice Book § 39-27).]
3.5 Voluntariness & Competence.
Defendant affirms that the plea is voluntary, made with full understanding of its consequences, and that Defendant is mentally competent to enter this Agreement.
3.6 Rights Waived.
By entering this Agreement and upon acceptance by the Court, Defendant knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waives:
1. The right to a trial, whether by jury or to the Court.
2. The right to confront and cross-examine witnesses.
3. The right to compel the attendance of witnesses.
4. The privilege against self-incrimination at trial.
5. Any other rights articulated by the Court during the plea canvass.
3.7 Appeal Waiver.
Except as set forth in Section 3.7(b), Defendant waives the right to appeal the conviction and any sentence imposed consistent with Section 3.4.
(b) Reserved Rights. Defendant may appeal:
(i) An illegal sentence;
(ii) The Court’s denial of a pre-trial motion listed in Schedule E and expressly preserved under Practice Book § 61-1;
(iii) Ineffective assistance of counsel claims;
(iv) Any sentence exceeding the terms of Section 3.4.
3.8 Immigration & Collateral Consequences.
Defendant acknowledges that conviction of the offense(s) may result in adverse immigration, licensing, or civil consequences and affirms that counsel has advised Defendant accordingly.
3.9 Conditions Precedent.
This Agreement is conditioned upon: (a) Defendant’s truthful answers during the plea canvass; (b) Court acceptance of the plea; and (c) Defendant’s compliance with all release conditions between the Plea Hearing and imposition of Sentence.
3.10 Merger at Sentencing.
Upon imposition of Sentence consistent with Section 3.4, the charging document(s) shall merge into the judgment of conviction for the count(s) to which Defendant pleaded and all dismissed/nolled counts shall have no further legal effect.
4. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES
4.1 Mutual Authority.
Each signatory warrants that he or she has full authority to bind the Party represented.
4.2 No Additional Promises.
Defendant and the State each represent that no promises, agreements, or understandings exist other than those set forth in this Agreement.
4.3 Truthfulness of Proffer.
Defendant warrants that all statements made to law enforcement or in any proffer session relied upon by the State in offering this Agreement are, to the best of Defendant’s knowledge, true and complete.
4.4 Survival.
Sections 3.5 (Voluntariness & Competence), 3.7 (Appeal Waiver), and 4.2 (No Additional Promises) survive sentencing and final judgment.
5. COVENANTS & RESTRICTIONS
5.1 Defendant’s Covenants.
(a) Appear at all scheduled court proceedings;
(b) Refrain from criminal conduct;
(c) Comply with any release conditions;
(d) Provide truthful, complete information during any presentence investigation.
5.2 State’s Covenants.
(a) Recommend the Sentence in Section 3.4 and take no action inconsistent with that recommendation;
(b) Move to dismiss or nolle the charges per Section 3.2 at sentencing;
(c) Refrain from introducing victim impact evidence inconsistent with the agreed Sentence absent a statutory obligation.
6. DEFAULT & REMEDIES
6.1 Defendant Default.
A “Defendant Default” occurs if Defendant:
1. Provides materially false information to the Court;
2. Fails to appear;
3. Commits a new criminal offense; or
4. Violates any release condition deemed material by the Court.
6.2 Remedies for Defendant Default.
Upon Defendant Default, the State may, in its sole discretion:
(a) Declare this Agreement null and void;
(b) Reinstate any dismissed/nolled charges;
(c) Seek enhanced sentencing within statutory limits.
6.3 State Default.
If the State materially breaches Section 5.2, Defendant may elect to:
(a) Seek specific performance; or
(b) Withdraw the plea with the Court’s consent.
6.4 Notice & Cure.
The non-defaulting Party must give written notice of default; the defaulting Party shall have [X] days (or until the next scheduled court date, whichever is earlier) to cure, unless cure is impossible by nature of the default.
6.5 Attorney’s Fees.
Each Party bears its own fees and costs incurred in enforcing this Agreement.
7. RISK ALLOCATION
7.1 Limitation of Liability.
The Parties acknowledge that the sole “liability” addressed herein is Defendant’s exposure to the Sentence; no civil damages or indemnification provisions apply.
7.2 Force Majeure.
Should a declared public emergency or other event beyond the Parties’ control prevent the Court from holding the Plea Hearing or sentencing, the deadlines herein shall be tolled until the Court resumes normal operations.
8. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
8.1 Governing Law.
This Agreement is governed by the substantive and procedural laws of the State of Connecticut.
8.2 Forum Selection.
Exclusive jurisdiction for all matters arising under or relating to this Agreement lies in the Connecticut Superior Court, Criminal Division, for the Judicial District of [JUDICIAL DISTRICT].
8.3 Arbitration.
Arbitration is not available for criminal matters; all disputes shall be resolved by the Court.
8.4 Jury Waiver.
By entering this Agreement, Defendant waives the right to a jury trial in accordance with Section 3.6.
9. GENERAL PROVISIONS
9.1 Entire Agreement.
This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Parties and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous negotiations.
9.2 Amendments.
No amendment is effective unless in writing and signed by the State, Defendant, and Defense Counsel, and approved by the Court.
9.3 Severability.
If any provision is held invalid, the remaining provisions remain enforceable, provided that doing so does not defeat the Parties’ primary intent.
9.4 Counterparts; Electronic Signatures.
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which is deemed an original. Signatures transmitted by electronic means are deemed originals for all purposes.
9.5 Successors & Assigns.
This Agreement binds Defendant and inures to the State’s benefit; it is personal to Defendant and may not be assigned.
10. EXECUTION BLOCK
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the dates indicated.
STATE OF CONNECTICUT
Office of the State’s Attorney
Judicial District of [JUDICIAL DISTRICT]
[NAME], State’s Attorney
Date: _______
DEFENDANT
[DEFENDANT FULL LEGAL NAME]
Date: _______
DEFENSE COUNSEL ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I have advised Defendant of the rights waived and the consequences of this Agreement and believe the plea to be knowing, intelligent, and voluntary.
[DEFENSE COUNSEL NAME & JURIS #]
Date: _______
JUDICIAL APPROVAL
The foregoing Agreement is accepted and approved.
HON. [JUDGE NAME], J.
Connecticut Superior Court
Date: _______
(Seal / Clerk’s Certification if required.)
SCHEDULE A
Charges to Be Dismissed/Nolled
| Count | Offense | Statute | Docket # | Disposition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
SCHEDULE B
Stipulated Factual Basis
(Insert concise statement of facts supporting each element of the offense.)
SCHEDULE C
Special Conditions of Probation
SCHEDULE D
Restitution Payment Schedule
| Due Date | Amount | Payee | Routing Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|
SCHEDULE E
Preserved Issues for Appeal (if any)
[// GUIDANCE: Review Practice Book §§ 39-19 to 39-27 for mandatory plea canvass inquiries. Confirm all collateral consequence advisories (e.g., sex-offender registration) have been delivered prior to execution. Delete all guidance notes before submitting to the Court.]