law. (of a person charged with an offence) to admit responsibility; confess.

Why do people plead guilty?

Pleading guilty typically results in a more lenient punishment for the defendant; it is thus a type of mitigating factor in sentencing. In a plea bargain a defendant makes a deal with the prosecution or court to plead guilty in exchange for a more lenient punishment, or for related charges against them to be dropped.

Is it better to plead guilty or go to trial?

Another advantage of pleading guilty is the expense for a lawyer is generally less when the lawyer does not have to go to trial. ... In exchange for pleading guilty, the criminal defendant may receive a lighter sentence or have charges reduced. Additionally, pleading guilty avoids the uncertainty of a trial.