Procedure at beginning of inquiry. Non-appearance of accused and admission of charge

At the beginning of the inquiry, the prosecutor shall deliver the articles of charges to the commissioner which shall be openly read, and the person accused shall thereupon be required to plead ‘guilty' or ‘not guilty' to each of them, which pleas shall be forthwith recorded with the articles of charges. If the person accused refuses, or without reasonable cause neglects to appear and to answer the charges either personally or by his counsel or agent, he shall be taken to admit the truth of the articles of charges.