Who can enter a plea for a defendant?

Who can enter a plea for a defendant?

• A. The defendant or the defendant's attorney
• B. The defendant's employer
• C. The judge
• D. The clerk of court

Answer: (A)

In pleading a case, the person who speaks the defendant’s position to the court is the defendant or the defendant’s attorney. The defendant has the right to enter a plea, and if the defendant is represented, the attorney may enter the plea on the defendant’s behalf under the court’s rules and with the defendant’s authorization. An employer has no role in entering pleas in a criminal case. The judge oversees the proceedings and may accept or reject a plea, but does not enter the plea on behalf of the defendant. The clerk records court actions and filings, not the act of entering a plea. So, the plea can be entered by the defendant or the defendant’s attorney.

In pleading a case, the person who speaks the defendant’s position to the court is the defendant or the defendant’s attorney. The defendant has the right to enter a plea, and if the defendant is represented, the attorney may enter the plea on the defendant’s behalf under the court’s rules and with the defendant’s authorization. An employer has no role in entering pleas in a criminal case. The judge oversees the proceedings and may accept or reject a plea, but does not enter the plea on behalf of the defendant. The clerk records court actions and filings, not the act of entering a plea. So, the plea can be entered by the defendant or the defendant’s attorney.