Art. 45A.152 DEFENDANT'S REFUSAL TO PLEAD

When someone charged with a crime won't enter a plea, either refusing to say guilty or not guilty, the judge doesn't just wait around. The judge will automatically enter a "not guilty" plea on the defendant's behalf so the case can move forward.

This protects the defendant's rights. It means the case proceeds like any other not guilty plea, and the prosecution still has to prove its case. The defendant doesn't lose any rights by staying silent, and refusing to plead won't be treated as an admission of guilt.