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Criminal Resource Manual

529. Rule 20 Transfers—Use of Fed. R. Crim. P. 20 and 7 Together

Rule 20 provides that a defendant may state in writing that he or she wishes to plead guilty or nolo contendere, to waive trial in the district in which an indictment or information is pending or in which a warrant was issued, and to consent to the disposition of the case in the district in which he is present, subject to the approval of the United States Attorney for each district. This statement need not be made in open court. When the Rule 20 transfer is completed the defendant may at that time waive indictment in open court as provided in Fed. R. Crim. P. 7(b).