46-17-203. Plea of guilty -- use of two-way electronic audio-video communication. (1) Before or during trial, a plea of guilty or nolo contendere may be accepted when:
     (a) subject to the provisions of subsection (3), the defendant enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere in open court; and
     (b) the court has informed the defendant of the consequences of the plea and of the maximum penalty provided by law that may be imposed upon acceptance of the plea.
     (2) A plea of guilty or nolo contendere in a justice's court, city court, or other court of limited jurisdiction waives the right of trial de novo in district court. A defendant must be informed of the waiver before the plea is accepted, and the justice or judge shall question the defendant to ensure that the plea and waiver are entered voluntarily.
     (3) For purposes of this section, in cases in which the defendant is charged with a misdemeanor offense, an entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere through the use of two-way electronic audio-video communication, allowing all of the participants to be observed and heard in the courtroom by all present, is considered to be an entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere in open court. Audio-video communication may be used if neither party objects and the court agrees to its use. The audio-video communication must operate as provided in 46-12-201.

     History: En. 95-2004 by Sec. 1, Ch. 196, L. 1967; amd. Sec. 30, Ch. 184, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 95-2004(2); amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 277, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 163, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 17, Ch. 395, L. 1999.