Montana Code Annotated 1997

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     46-12-204. Plea alternatives. (1) A defendant may plead guilty or not guilty. If a defendant refuses to plead or if a defendant corporation fails to appear, the court shall enter a plea of not guilty.
     (2) The court may not accept a plea of guilty without first determining that the plea is voluntary and not the result of force or threats or of promises apart from the plea agreement. The court shall also inquire as to whether the defendant's willingness to plead guilty results from prior discussions between the prosecutor and the defendant or the defendant's attorney.
     (3) With the approval of the court and the consent of the prosecutor, a defendant may enter a plea of guilty, reserving the right, on appeal from the judgment, to review the adverse determination of any specified pretrial motion. If the defendant prevails on appeal, the defendant must be allowed to withdraw the plea.

     History: En. 95-1606 by Sec. 1, Ch. 196, L. 1967; R.C.M. 1947, 95-1606(part); amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 606, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 132, Ch. 800, L. 1991.

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