GREEN SHEET REDIGEST
HB 200 2022 Regular Session Brown
CRIMINAL/PROCEDURE: Provides relative to the presence of the defendant in
misdemeanor prosecutions.
DIGEST
Present law requires a plea of not guilty of a misdemeanor to be entered through counsel of
record and in the absence of the defendant by the filing of a sworn affidavit prior to the
scheduled arraignment date.
Proposed law amends present law to provide that a plea of not guilty of a misdemeanor may
always be allowed to be entered through counsel of record and if the defendant is not present,
a plea of not guilty may be entered by the filing of a sworn affidavit prior to the scheduled
arraignment date.
(Amends C.Cr.P. Art. 833(B))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of
Criminal Justice to the original bill:
1. Provide that a plea of not guilty of a misdemeanor may always be entered through
counsel of record in the absence of the defendant and shall be allowed by the
filing of a sworn affidavit prior to the scheduled arraignment date.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Judiciary C to the engrossed
bill
1. Clarify language regarding a plea entered by sworn affidavit, when defendant is
not present.
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Prepared by Whitney Kauffeld.