What happens at the change of plea hearing?
At this hearing the judge will conduct what is known as the “plea colloquy.” The judge will inform you of the rights you gave up by pleading guilty and the crimes you are admitting that you committed. The judge will question you under oath about your involvement in the crime. If the judge determines from your answers that you are not guilty, the judge will not accept your plea. The case will then proceed to trial. Usually the judge accepts your plea and sets a date for sentencing generally twelve weeks after the plea hearing. The judge will ask the Probation Office to prepare a presentence report. (See the Sentencing Section for more information on the presentence report).