Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 45.023 – Defendant’s Plea
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(a) After the jury is impaneled, or after the defendant has waived trial by jury, the defendant may:
(1) plead guilty or not guilty;
(2) enter a plea of nolo contendere; or
(3) enter the special plea of double jeopardy as described by Article 27.05.
(b) If a defendant is detained in jail before trial, the justice or judge may permit the defendant to enter any of the pleas described by Subsection (a).
Terms Used In Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 45.023
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Justice: when applied to a magistrate, means justice of the peace. See Texas Government Code 312.011
- Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
- Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(c) If a defendant who is detained in jail enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, the justice or judge may, after complying with Article 15.17 and advising the defendant of the defendant’s right to trial by jury, as appropriate:
(1) accept the defendant’s plea;
(2) assess a fine, determine costs, and accept payment of the fine and costs;
(3) give the defendant credit for time served;
(4) determine whether the defendant is indigent; or
(5) discharge the defendant.
(d) Notwithstanding Article 45.037, following a plea of guilty or nolo contendere entered under Subsection (b), a motion for new trial must be made not later than 10 days after the rendition of judgment and sentence, and not afterward. The justice or judge shall grant a motion for new trial made under this subsection.
Text of article effective until January 01, 2025