12-4406.   Pleas; failure to appear.(a) A plea of guilty is an admission of the charge and every materialfact alleged therein.

      (b)   A plea of no contest is a formal declaration that the accused persondoes not contest the charge. When such a plea is entered, a finding ofguilty may be adjudged thereon. The plea cannot be used against the accusedperson as an admission in any other action based on the same act.

      (c)   A plea of not guilty denies and puts into issue every material factalleged in the charge.

      (d)   If the accused person refuses to plead, the court shall enter a pleaof not guilty.

      (e)   If the accused person fails to appear, the court shall declare theappearance bond to be forfeited and may issue a warrant for the arrest ofthe accused person.

      History:   L. 1973, ch. 61, § 12-4406; April 1, 1974.