Guilty plea

A guilty plea is a formal statement made by a defendant in a court case indicating that they admit to committing the crime they are charged with. By doing so, the defendant accepts responsibility, and the case usually moves toward sentencing without the need for a trial. Guilty pleas often result from negotiations called plea bargains, which may involve the defendant receiving a lighter sentence or lesser charges in exchange for their admission. This process helps streamline the legal system, saves time and resources, and provides certainty for both parties involved.