Alford plea

An Alford plea is a legal option where a defendant maintains their innocence but admits that prosecutors have enough evidence to find them guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. By entering this plea, they accept conviction without explicitly admitting guilt, often to avoid the risk or consequences of a trial. Courts accept this plea because it allows defendants to plead guilty while preserving their claim of innocence, balancing legal fairness with the need for resolution. It’s a compromise that concludes the case without requiring the defendant to fully admit responsibility.