law
: a legal doctrine under which a criminal defendant who does not admit guilt is allowed to plead guilty as part of a plea bargain provided the plea is made voluntarily and with knowledge of the consequences
The Alford doctrine provides that a court may accept a knowing and voluntary plea of guilty from a defendant, even though the defendant maintains his innocence, provided the trial judge determines that there is a factual basis for the plea.—Crofoot v. United States, 761 F. 2d 661 (Fed. Cir. 1985)
see also alford plea
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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