Case Name: The State vs. Jefferson Denis
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1880
Citations: 1 Mann. Unrep. Cas. 120
Docket Number: No. 7119
Parties: The State vs. Jefferson Denis.
Judges: 
Reporter: Unreported cases heard and determined by the Supreme Court of Louisiana, from January 8, 1877, to April, 1880
Volume: 1
Pages: 120–120

Head Matter:
No. 7119.
The State vs. Jefferson Denis.
Where the transcript does not shew that the prisoner pleaded, or was arraigned, the conviction will be set aside, and a new trial ordered.
Appeal from the Superior Criminal Court of New Orleans. Whitaker, J.
The Attorney-General and Brice for the State. Cutler for Defendant.

Opinion:
Manning, C. J.
It is so absolutely necessary in a criminal prosecution that there should be a plea by the accused, that if he refuses to plead, the court will order that the plea of not guilty be made for him and be entered of record.
Arraignment and plea in a prosecution for murder are so indispensable that their absence vitiates the trial.
Judgment reversed, verdict set aside, and new trial ordered.