An Alford plea is a type of guilty plea in criminal court where the defendant does not admit to committing the crime but agrees that the prosecution has sufficient evidence to place a charge and to obtain a conviction in court. The plea is named after the case North Carolina v. Alford, where the defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree murder but maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. The defendant pleads guilty but does not have to specifically admit to the guilt itself, and maintains a claim of innocence but agrees to the entry of a conviction in the charged crime. The plea is also known as a "best-interests plea".

The Alford plea is similar to the nolo contendere plea, where the defendant refuses to assert either guilt or innocence, but the main difference is that in an Alford plea, the defendant formally pleads guilty. The plea skips the full process of a criminal trial because the defendant agrees to accept all the ramifications of a guilty verdict, such as punishment.

The acceptance of an Alford plea is in the courts discretion, and it is not a right. Some states expressly forbid Alford pleas, while others limit their use. The plea is available in all states in the country except Indiana, Michigan, and New Jersey.

One reason for making an Alford plea may be to avoid being convicted on a more serious charge. However, there are also drawbacks to an Alford plea. The defendant relinquishes several constitutional rights in exchange for the plea, including the right to a trial by jury and the right to remain silent. Another issue that comes with accepting an Alford plea is the social stigma, as the defendant will be considered convicted of the crime despite maintaining their innocence.

In summary, an Alford plea is a guilty plea in criminal court where the defendant does not admit to committing the crime but agrees that the prosecution has sufficient evidence to place a charge and to obtain a conviction in court. The plea is named after the case North Carolina v. Alford and is similar to the nolo contendere plea. The acceptance of an Alford plea is in the courts discretion, and it is not a right.