1. (a) On the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, the justice or municipal court may hear proof regarding the offense and assess the punishment.
2. (b) A justice or judge may not accept a plea of guilty or nolo contendere from a defendant in open court unless it appears to the justice or judge that the defendant is mentally competent and the plea is free and voluntary.

Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 765 (H.B. 4504), Sec. 1.001, eff. January 1, 2025.