Stevenson v. State

The right to trial by jury and the concomitant right to plead not guilty, thus requiring the State to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, are so fundamentally ingrained in our law as not to require support by citation of authority. Not quite so well established, but recognized as a basic principle, is the opportunity for an accused to plead guilty. Such a plea is, as we have indicated, an opportunity, not a right. Indeed, the court may refuse to accept a plea of guilty, enter a plea of not guilty, and direct the question of guilt vel non to be adjudicated. Md. Rule 731 c. 1 Furthermore,…