State v. Denis
Also decided on this docket: La. Ct. App. 1st Cir., December 9, 1975 323 So. 2d 513; La. Ct. App. 1st Cir., October 31, 1947 32 So. 2d 403; La. Ct. App. 3d Cir., August 23, 1979 374 So. 2d 745; La. Ct. App. 1st Cir., November 6, 1967 202 So. 2d 465
State v. Denis, 1 Mann. Unrep. Cas. 120 (La. 1880).
Opinion text
Manning, C. J. It is so absolutely necessary in a criminal prosecution that there should be a plea by the accused, that if he refuses to plead, the court will order that the plea of not guilty be made for him and be entered of record. Arraignment and plea in a prosecution for murder are so indispensable that their absence vitiates the trial. Judgment reversed, verdict set aside, and new trial ordered.