(1)  A defendant may plead guilty under rule 27 and so be excused from attending court as required by the summons by –

(a) signing the endorsement on the summons that is headed "PLEA OF GUILTY" in the presence of a justice who attests the defendant's signature; and

(b) lodging the endorsed summons at the office of the clerk not less than 5 days before the time fixed for the hearing.

(2)  On receipt of a summons endorsed with a plea of guilty and attested as provided in subrule (1) , the justices may proceed as if the defendant had appeared and pleaded guilty to the complaint.

(3)  Despite subrule (1) , if the justices believe that the circumstances of a case warrant it, they may require the appearance of the defendant by issuing a notice to him or her under rule 32 .