If a defendant refuses to plead, what must the court do?

• A. Enter A Plea Of Guilty
• B. Schedule A New Date
• C. Dismiss The Case
• D. Enter A Plea Of Not Guilty

Answer: (D)

When a defendant refuses to plead, the case must still move forward by recording a formal response to the charges. The court enters a not guilty plea on the defendant’s behalf. This preserves the defendant’s rights and the presumption of innocence, ensuring there is a valid record and allowing the trial process to proceed.

Pleading not guilty on the defendant’s behalf is preferred over forcing a guilty plea, which would violate due process and require the defendant’s voluntary admission. Scheduling a new date doesn’t address the lack of a plea, and dismissing the case isn’t warranted merely because the defendant chose not to plead.