Alford plea

noun

law
: a guilty plea entered by a criminal defendant who does not admit guilt but nevertheless pleads guilty as part of a plea bargain
After a lunch break, Garcia decided to enter an Alford plea in return for a reduced charge of injury by conduct regardless of life on one of the two attempted murder counts.State v. Garcia, 532 N. W.2d 111 (Wis. 1995)
see also alford doctrine , nolo contendere

Word History

Etymology

after North Carolina vs. Alford, U.S. Supreme Court case (1970) that sanctioned such a plea

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Alford plea was in 1973

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Dictionary Entries Near Alford plea

Cite this Entry

“Alford plea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Alford%20plea. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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