SSHB200 3356 4315
HOUSE SUMMARY OF SENATE AMENDMENTS
HB 200 2022 Regular Session Brown
CRIMINAL/PROCEDURE: Provides relative to the presence of the defendant in
misdemeanor prosecutions
Synopsis of Senate Amendments
1.Clarifies that when the defendant is not present, a plea of not guilty of a
misdemeanor shall be allowed by the filing of a sworn affidavit in advance of
the arraignment date.
Digest of Bill as Finally Passed by Senate
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. If the defendant is not present,
a plea of not guilty shall be allowed by the filing of a sworn affidavit prior to the scheduled
arraignment date.
(Amends C.Cr.P. Art. 833(B))
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