RÉSUMÉ DIGEST ACT 446 (HB 200) 2022 Regular Session Brown Prior law required 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. New law provides that a plea of not guilty of a misdemeanor may be allowed to be entered through counsel of record. Further provides that a plea of not guilty of a misdemeanor shall be allowed to be entered through counsel of record in the absence of the defendant by the filing of a sworn affidavit in advance of the scheduled arraignment date. Effective August 1, 2022. (Amends C.Cr.P. Art. 833(B) and (C)(intro. para.))