(a) A defendant may plead guilty, not guilty, or in the discretion of the judge, nolo contendere. A plea of guilty or nolo contendere should be received only from the defendant personally in open court, except when the defendant is a corporation, in which case the plea may be entered by a duly authorized attorney at law or a corporate officer. In misdemeanor, traffic and municipal ordinance cases, upon the request of a defendant who has made, in writing, a knowing, intelligent and voluntary waiver of his right to be present, the court may accept a plea of guilty or nolo contendere in absentia.(b) A defendant may plead nolo contendere only with the consent of the judge. Such a plea should be accepted by the judge only after due consideration of the views of the parties and the interest of the public in the effective administration of justice. A plea of nolo contendere shall be handled under these rules in a manner consistent with a plea of guilty.Ga. Unif. Mun. Ct. R. 25.1