What must accompany a guilty or nolo contendere plea delivered to the court?

• A. The waiver of jury trial
• B. The defendant's tax information
• C. A witness list
• D. A plea of not guilty

Answer: (A)

When someone pleads guilty or no contest, a formal waiver of the right to a jury trial must accompany the plea. This waiver shows the defendant knowingly relinquishes the jury trial entitlement, and the court confirms this during the plea proceeding to ensure the decision is voluntary and informed. The waiver is typically part of the plea paperwork or addressed in the plea colloquy, so the record clearly reflects that the defendant understands and accepts the consequences of entering the plea. Other items listed—tax information, a witness list, or a plea of not guilty—do not pertain to the act of entering a guilty or no contest plea, and a not guilty plea would not accompany a guilty or no contest plea.