2017 Indiana Code
TITLE 35. Criminal Law and Procedure
ARTICLE 35. PLEADING AND PROCEDURE
CHAPTER 1. Pleas
35-35-1-4. Withdrawal of plea; motion; requisites; procedures
Sec. 4. (a) A motion to withdraw a plea of not guilty for the purpose of entering a plea of guilty, or guilty but mentally ill at the time of the crime, may be made orally in open court and need not state any reason for the withdrawal of the plea.
(b) After entry of a plea of guilty, or guilty but mentally ill at the time of the crime, but before imposition of sentence, the court may allow the defendant by motion to withdraw his plea of guilty, or guilty but mentally ill at the time of the crime, for any fair and just reason unless the state has been substantially prejudiced by reliance upon the defendant's plea. The motion to withdraw the plea of guilty or guilty but mentally ill at the time of the crime made under this subsection shall be in writing and verified. The motion shall state facts in support of the relief demanded, and the state may file counter-affidavits in opposition to the motion. The ruling of the court on the motion shall be reviewable on appeal only for an abuse of discretion. However, the court shall allow the defendant to withdraw his plea of guilty, or guilty but mentally ill at the time of the crime, whenever the defendant proves that withdrawal of the plea is necessary to correct a manifest injustice.
(c) After being sentenced following a plea of guilty, or guilty but mentally ill at the time of the crime, the convicted person may not as a matter of right withdraw the plea. However, upon motion of the convicted person, the court shall vacate the judgment and allow the withdrawal whenever the convicted person proves that withdrawal is necessary to correct a manifest injustice. A motion to vacate judgment and withdraw the plea made under this subsection shall be treated by the court as a petition for postconviction relief under the Indiana Rules of Procedure for Postconviction Remedies. For purposes of this section, withdrawal of the plea is necessary to correct a manifest injustice whenever:
(1) the convicted person was denied the effective assistance of counsel;
(2) the plea was not entered or ratified by the convicted person;
(3) the plea was not knowingly and voluntarily made;
(4) the prosecuting attorney failed to abide by the terms of a plea agreement; or
(5) the plea and judgment of conviction are void or voidable for any other reason.
The motion to vacate the judgment and withdraw the plea need not allege, and it need not be proved, that the convicted person is innocent of the crime charged or that he has a valid defense.
(d) A plea of guilty, or guilty but mentally ill at the time of the crime, which is not accepted by the court or is withdrawn shall not be admissible as evidence in any criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding.
(e) Upon any motion made under this section, the moving party has the burden of establishing his grounds for relief by a preponderance of the evidence. The order of the court upon a motion made under subsection (b) or (c) of this section shall constitute a final judgment from which the moving party or the state may appeal as otherwise provided by law. The order of the court upon a motion made under subsection (a) of this section is not a final judgment and is not appealable but is reviewable upon appeal from a final judgment subsequently entered.
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.298, SEC.4. Amended by Acts 1982, P.L.204, SEC.25; P.L.320-1983, SEC.17.
