When can a municipal judge take a plea?

• A. When a sworn complaint or a citation has been filed with the court
• B. Whenever the judge desires
• C. Only after a jury trial
• D. Only for felonies

Answer: (B)

Pleasing the defendant into resolving the case is the focus here. In municipal court practice, a plea can be taken when the case is properly before the court and the defendant is present and wants to plead guilty or no contest, with the required rights explained and waivers secured. The judge has discretion to accept a plea at a time that suits the proceedings—often at arraignment or a plea setting—rather than being limited to a specific moment like after a jury trial or only for felonies. The charging document must exist to start the case, but the act of accepting a plea isn’t tied to a fixed stage beyond proper due process and the defendant’s clear, voluntary decision.