23-1A-17. Acceptance of admission in court and entry of judgment--Trial if allegations denied--Procedure--Deposit required for continuance.
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/sd/title-23/chapter-23-1/23-1a-17·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
If a defendant appears in court, personally or by his attorney, he shall be asked whether he admits or denies the commission of the offense alleged in the complaint. If he admits the commission of the alleged offense, the court shall accept his admission and enter a judgment against him for the amount established by § 23-1A-22 . If a defendant denies the allegations in a complaint, the case may be tried at that time. A jury trial may not be granted for petty offenses, but conduct for the trial of a petty offense shall otherwise be governed by the rules of civil procedure.
If either the defendant or plaintiff requests a continuance, a court may set a later date for trial, which may not exceed thirty days from the date of the initial appearance. A defendant's request for a continuance may not be granted unless he deposits with the court a sum equal to the amount set by § 23-1A-22 .