1. A defendant may move to enter a plea other than a plea of not guilty at any time during the pendency of an action, except as provided in paragraph 3 below. However, unless the defendant expressly waives consultation on the record, no such plea shall be accepted until the defendant has consulted with counsel on such a motion, and unless counsel is present at the entry of the plea.

2. If a defendant desires to enter a plea of guilty, the defendant shall complete a form AOC-491, “Motion to Enter Guilty Plea,” or AOC-491.2, “Motion to Enter Guilty Plea Pursuant to North Carolina v. Alford,” whichever is appropriate.

3. No plea of guilty, or of guilty but mentally ill, shall be accepted by the Court after 3:00 P.M. the day before the trial is scheduled to begin, except upon good cause shown for delay.