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Simple English definitions for legal terms
not-guilty plea
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A quick definition of not-guilty plea:
A not-guilty plea is when someone accused of a crime says they didn't do it in court. The prosecution then has to prove that the person did commit the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. It's like saying "I didn't do it" and making the other side prove that you did.A more thorough explanation:
A not-guilty plea is a formal response made by an accused person in court, denying that they committed the criminal offense they are charged with. The prosecution must then prove all elements of the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt if the defendant is to be convicted.
For example, if someone is accused of stealing a car, they may enter a not-guilty plea, which means they are denying that they stole the car and the prosecution must prove that they did.
Other types of pleas include guilty plea, no-contest plea, and negotiated plea.