COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

STATE PLEA AGREEMENT

[// GUIDANCE: This template is drafted to comply with Massachusetts Rule of Criminal Procedure 12 and current Commonwealth sentencing practice. Customize all bracketed fields, confirm local standing orders, and attach any required sentencing worksheets.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Document Header
2. Definitions
3. Operative Provisions
4. Representations & Warranties
5. Covenants & Restrictions
6. Default & Remedies
7. Risk Allocation
8. Dispute Resolution
9. General Provisions
10. Execution Block

1. DOCUMENT HEADER

1.1 Parties.
This Plea Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into on [EFFECTIVE DATE] by and between:

a. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, acting through the Office of the [COUNTY] District Attorney (“Commonwealth”); and
b. [DEFENDANT FULL LEGAL NAME], DOB [DATE], residing at [ADDRESS] (“Defendant”).

1.2 Court & Case Information.
Court: [COURT NAME]
Docket No.: [DOCKET NUMBER]
Charges: [LIST STATUTORY OFFENSE(S)] (“Charges”).

1.3 Recitals.
A. The Defendant is charged with the above-captioned Charges.
B. The parties desire to resolve the Charges without trial pursuant to Mass. R. Crim. P. 12.
C. In consideration of the mutual promises herein, and subject to Court approval, the parties agree as follows.

2. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Agreement:

“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in §1.
“Charges” has the meaning set forth in §1.2.
“Commonwealth” means the prosecuting authority identified in §1.1(a).
“Court” means the Massachusetts court identified in §1.2.
“Defendant” means the individual identified in §1.1(b).
“Guidelines” means the Massachusetts Sentencing Guidelines in effect on the Effective Date.
“Plea” means Defendant’s plea of [GUILTY / NOLO CONTENDERE] to the Charges or amended Charges as set forth in §3.1.
“Probation Terms” means the conditions of probation, if any, set forth in §3.3(c).
“Sentencing Hearing” means the hearing at which the Court imposes sentence pursuant to this Agreement.

3. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS

3.1 Defendant’s Plea.
Subject to Court acceptance, Defendant shall tender a Plea of [GUILTY / NOLO CONTENDERE] to [SPECIFY COUNTS] at the change-of-plea hearing.

3.2 Defendant’s Obligations.
a. Appearances: Defendant shall appear at all required court dates, including the Sentencing Hearing.
b. Truthful Cooperation: Defendant shall provide truthful factual bases during the plea colloquy.
c. Compliance: Defendant shall comply with all pre- and post-sentence conditions imposed by the Court.

3.3 Commonwealth’s Obligations.
a. Charge Disposition: Upon the Court’s acceptance of the Plea, the Commonwealth shall move to [ENTER NOLLE PROSEQUI / DISMISS] the remaining counts described in [SCHEDULE A], if any.
b. Sentencing Recommendation: The Commonwealth agrees to recommend the following (“Agreed Sentence”):
i. Incarceration: [TERM] in the [HOUSE OF CORRECTION / STATE PRISON];
ii. Probation: [TERM] with the Probation Terms attached as Schedule B;
iii. Restitution: $[AMOUNT] payable pursuant to §3.4.
c. Sentencing Worksheet: The Commonwealth will provide a completed Guidelines worksheet at or before the Sentencing Hearing.

3.4 Consideration & Payment.
a. Restitution shall be paid through the Probation Department on a schedule approved by the Court.
b. Failure to pay restitution constitutes a violation of probation, subject to §6.

3.5 Conditions Precedent.
This Agreement is contingent upon:
i. Defendant’s sworn acknowledgment of rights waived (see §4.2);
ii. The Court’s finding that the Plea is knowing, voluntary, and supported by an adequate factual basis; and
iii. Court acceptance of the Agreed Sentence or a disposition not materially less favorable to Defendant.

4. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES

4.1 Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth represents that:
a. It has authority to enter into this Agreement;
b. It will not prosecute Defendant for additional offenses arising from the same conduct, except as provided in §6.

4.2 Defendant.
Defendant represents that:
a. Competence: Defendant is competent and fully understands this Agreement.
b. Counsel: Defendant is represented by [DEFENSE COUNSEL NAME, BBO#], has reviewed the Agreement, and has had all questions answered.
c. Voluntariness: The Plea is made voluntarily, without coercion or undisclosed promises.
d. Rights Waived: Defendant knowingly waives the right to:
i. Trial by jury or judge;
ii. Confront and cross-examine witnesses;
iii. Compel witnesses;
iv. Remain silent;
v. Contest guilt on appeal, except as reserved in §5.2(d).

e. Immigration Consequences: Defendant understands potential immigration effects under 8 U.S.C. § 1227.
f. Criminal History: Defendant has truthfully disclosed prior convictions.

4.3 Survival.
The representations in §4 survive acceptance of the Plea and sentencing.

5. COVENANTS & RESTRICTIONS

5.1 Affirmative Covenants of Defendant.
a. Compliance with Probation Terms;
b. No new criminal conduct during any period of release or supervision;
c. Timely restitution payments.

5.2 Negative Covenants / Waivers.
a. Appeal Waiver: Defendant waives the right to appeal any conviction or sentence imposed consistent with this Agreement.
b. Collateral Attack Waiver: Defendant waives the right to collaterally attack the conviction or sentence, except for claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, prosecutorial misconduct, or newly discovered evidence.
c. Record Sealing: Defendant agrees not to seek sealing or expungement until statutory eligibility.
d. Preservation of Post-Sentence Motions: Defendant may file motions limited to sentence modification under Mass. R. Crim. P. 29.

6. DEFAULT & REMEDIES

6.1 Events of Default.
The following constitute Default:
a. Defendant’s failure to appear;
b. Defendant’s violation of Probation Terms;
c. Defendant’s provision of materially false statements;
d. Commission of new criminal conduct before sentencing.

6.2 Notice & Opportunity to Cure.
Upon Default, the Commonwealth shall provide written notice to Defendant or defense counsel. Defendant shall have [10] days to cure, if the Default is curable.

6.3 Remedies.
If Default is not cured:
a. The Commonwealth may:
i. Vacate this Agreement;
ii. Reinstate dismissed Charges;
iii. Introduce Defendant’s plea admissions as evidence;
b. The Court may impose any sentence permitted by law up to the statutory maximum.

6.4 Attorney Fees.
If the Commonwealth successfully litigates enforcement of this Agreement after Default, Defendant shall pay reasonable attorney fees and costs.

7. RISK ALLOCATION

7.1 Indemnification.
Not applicable. No party owes indemnification to another under this Agreement.

7.2 Limitation of Liability.
The maximum criminal liability to which Defendant is exposed under this Agreement is the Agreed Sentence described in §3.3(b), subject to §6 upon Default.

7.3 Force Majeure.
Court closures or other uncontrollable events shall toll any time-specific obligations herein.

8. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

8.1 Governing Law.
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including Mass. R. Crim. P. 12.

8.2 Forum Selection.
Exclusive jurisdiction lies with the Court identified in §1.2.

8.3 Arbitration.
Arbitration is not available for criminal matters; this clause is inapplicable.

8.4 Jury Waiver.
By tendering the Plea, Defendant irrevocably waives the right to trial by jury.

8.5 Injunctive Relief.
Not applicable in criminal proceedings.

9. GENERAL PROVISIONS

9.1 Amendments & Waivers.
No amendment or waiver is binding unless in writing, signed by both parties, and approved by the Court.

9.2 Assignment.
This Agreement is personal to Defendant and may not be assigned. The Commonwealth may delegate performance to successor prosecutors.

9.3 Successors & Assigns.
This Agreement binds Defendant’s heirs, executors, and legal representatives and the Commonwealth’s successors.

9.4 Severability.
If any provision is invalid, the remainder remains enforceable.

9.5 Integration.
This Agreement, including schedules and the colloquy transcript, constitutes the entire understanding and supersedes all prior negotiations.

9.6 Counterparts & Electronic Signatures.
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and by scanned or electronic signature, each of which is deemed an original.

10. EXECUTION BLOCK

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties execute this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

[// GUIDANCE: Confirm local practice on ADA or DA signature requirements.]

Defense Counsel Certification

I, [DEFENSE COUNSEL NAME, BBO#], certify that I have reviewed this Agreement with Defendant, explained all rights waived, and believe Defendant’s Plea is knowing and voluntary.

[DEFENSE COUNSEL SIGNATURE]
Date: ________

Judicial Acceptance

The foregoing Plea Agreement is hereby [ACCEPTED / REJECTED] pursuant to Mass. R. Crim. P. 12.

[NAME], Justice of the [COURT NAME]
Date: ________

SCHEDULE A – Charges to Be Dismissed

[LIST]

SCHEDULE B – Probation Terms

1. Standard Conditions
2. Special Conditions
   a. [SUBSTANCE ABUSE TESTING]
   b. [MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT]
   c. [NO-CONTACT ORDER]
3. Restitution Payment Schedule

[// GUIDANCE: Attach additional schedules as required, e.g., Sentencing Guidelines worksheet, restitution ledger.]

End of Document