RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 235 (HB 406) 2021 Regular Session Bishop
Existing law authorizes the court to permit a defendant charged with a misdemeanor to be
arraigned, enter his plea of guilty, or be tried in his absence.
Prior law authorized a plea of not guilty of a misdemeanor to be entered through counsel and
in the absence of the defendant.
New law provides that pleas of not guilty of misdemeanors shall be entered through counsel
of record and in the absence of the defendant by the filing of a sworn affidavit in advance of
the scheduled arraignment date.
New law requires and provides the form counsel is to use when accepting service and
waiving the presence of the defendant.
Effective August 1, 2021.
(Amends C.Cr.P. Art. 833)