64. Refusal to plead

64. Refusal to plead

(1) If, when an accused is asked to plead to a charge, the accused will not
answer directly to the charge, the Magistrates' Court may order that a plea of not guilty be entered on behalf of the accused.

(2) A plea of not guilty entered under subsection (1) has the same effect as
if the accused in fact had pleaded not guilty.

Note

See the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997 when an accused is or may be unfit to stand trial.