NCJ Number
36473
Journal
Arizona Law Review Volume: 17 Issue: 4 Dated: (1975) Pages: 992-1022
Date Published
1975
Length
31 pages
Annotation
REVIEW OF THE SUPREME COURT DECISION IN NORTH CAROLINA V ALFORD (1970) WHICH FOUND THE DEFENDANT'S PLEA OF GUILTY TO A LESSER CHARGE VALID DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT WAS ACCOMPANIED BY PROTESTATIONS OF INNOCENCE.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR EXAMINES THE ENGLISH COMMON LAW EVOLUTION OF THE PLEA OF NOLO CONTENDERE TO ILLUSTRATE THE HISTORICAL CONCERN FOR CERTAINTY OF PROOF IN THE CONTEXT OF PLEA OFFERINGS. A DISCUSSION OF ALFORD AGAINST THIS COMMON LAW BACKGROUND REACHES THE CONCLUSION THAT THIS CONCERN HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY DILUTED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)