If you are charged with a category 4 offence and you want to say you are not guilty, you can only do this in the High Court. You enter a not guilty plea to tell the court you do not agree with the charge. The court will then deal with your case from there.

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This page was last updated on 29 June 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM3865721.

Topics:

Crime and justice > Criminal lawCrime and justice > Courts and legal help

39: Requirement for defendant to plead, or

"Telling the court if you are guilty or not guilty"

41: Defendant who refuses or fails to plead under section 39 or 49(3), or

"What happens if you don't say if you're guilty or not guilty in court"

Part 3Procedure before trial
Pleas: Entering plea

40Not guilty plea for category 4 offence

A not guilty plea to a charge for a category 4 offence may be entered only in the High Court.