GNC.4.1.060 Appearance and Plea by Defendant

(a) If allowed by the citation, a defendant may pay the deposit indicated on the citation, sign the written plea of no contest on the citation, and return the deposit and the written pleas to the Clerk of Court at any time before the deadline stated on the citation. If the defendant does so, the court shall allow the defendant not to appear, the court shall adjudge the defendant to have committed the violation, and the court shall order the deposit forfeited as the civil penalty for the violation.

(b) If the defendant does not pay the deposit and enter the written plea of no contest as provided in Section GNC.4.1.060(a), and if the defendant does not appear on the date instructed, the court may find the defendant in default, enter judgment against defendant, and order the defendant to pay a forfeiture as is appropriate under the circumstances, but no less than the amount of the deposit, if any, stated, on the citation.

(c) If the defendant appears on the date instructed, the defendant may admit or deny the charge, or may plead no contest to the charge. If the defendant admits the charge or pleads no contest, the court shall order the defendant to pay a forfeiture as is appropriate under the circumstances. If the defendant denies the charge, the court shall set a trial date, or may conduct a trial immediately if the parties consent and the court's calendar allows.