Plea

The first pleading by a criminal defendant, the defendant's declaration in open court that he or she is guilty or not guilty. The defendant's answer to the charges made in the indictment or information.

In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges in open court. A plea of nolo contendere or an Alford plea may also be made. A guilty plea allows the defendant to forego a trial.

In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges. See also nolo contendere.

The answer of the defendant to the charge or charges brought against him or her by the State is known as the plea. It is the standard practice, after the hearing officer informs the defendant of the charges brought against him or her during the arraignment, to ask the defendant for his or her answer to the charges. If the answer is "not guilty," the case will move along to the case reviews, and possibly then to trial.