alford plea
Alford plea. A guilty plea that a defendant enters as part of a plea bargain, without actually admitting guilt. • This plea is not considered compelled within the language of the Fifth Amendment if the plea represents a voluntary, knowing, and intelligent choice between the available options (the defendant — realizing the strength of the prosecution’s evidence and not wanting to risk receiving the death penalty — entered into an Alford plea).North Carolina v. Alford, 400 U.S. 25, 91 S.Ct. 160 (1970). Cf. NO CONTEST . [Cases: Criminal Law 273(4.1), 273.1(2). C.J.S. Criminal Law §§ 365–374.]
