Pursuant to Superior Court Rule 16, a Defendant may plead guilty, not guilty, or nolo contendere to any complaint or information. The decision on what plea to enter is one of the most important decisions a defendant will make. Please note if a defendant refuses to plead or if the Judge refuses to accept a plea of guilty, the Judge shall enter a plea of not guilty. In no case shall the Court accept a plea of guilty without first determining if the Defendant understands the nature of the charge against him, and that the plea is voluntarily made.
A defendant is entitled to change his or her plea at any time before the findings are made by the Court. The defendant shall be permitted to change a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to one of not guilty only by permission of the Court.
Where a plea of guilty is entered, the Court may hear the witnesses in support of the complaint prior to judgment and sentence, and after such hearing, may in its discretion refuse to accept the plea.