Plea
A defendant's formal response to criminal charges — typically guilty, not guilty, or no contest (nolo contendere).
Encyclopedia entry: Plea
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plea
When a person is charged with a crime, they must answer to that charge in court during an arraignment . This formal answer is called a plea. A defendant can either admit to the charges by pleading guilty or deny the charges by pleading not guilty . A defendant might also plead nolo contendere in which a conviction is accepted though no guilt is admitted. A plea of guilty or nolo contendere is followed by sentencing . A plea of not guilty would be followed by discovery and eventually a trial . A defendant can also be offered a plea bargain , in which a guilty plea is entered in exchange for lowered or dropped charges or a shorter sentence.
[Last reviewed in August of 2020 by the Wex Definitions Team
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.