§ 38-320 — Appearance of accused; plea

A. If the accused does not appear, the court of impeachment, upon proof of service or publication may, on motion or for cause shown, assign another day for hearing the impeachment proceedings, or may proceed in the absence of the accused to trial and judgment.

B. The accused may, in writing, object to the sufficiency of the articles of impeachment, or he may answer them by an oral plea of not guilty. The plea of not guilty shall be entered upon the journal and places in issue every material allegation of the articles of impeachment.

C. If the objection to the sufficiency of the articles of impeachment is not sustained by a majority of the members of the court who heard the argument, the accused shall be ordered forthwith to answer the articles of impeachment. If the accused then pleads guilty, or refuses to plead, the court shall render judgment of conviction against him. If the accused pleads not guilty, the court shall at such time as it appoints, try the impeachment.