221Refusal to plead

221 Refusal to plead

(1) If, on arraignment, an accused will not answer directly to a charge on the indictment, the 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.

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

Division 3—Assisting the jury