Last reviewed October 2022 This certainty can provide comfort to the defendant and their family. A defendant may be confident in their innocence but feel reluctant to take the risk of going to trial. WebOther articles where Alford plea is discussed: West Memphis Three: Paradise Lost and prison release: maneuver is known as an Alford plea. The Supreme Court and New York State both say that a defendant can still plead guilty under those Thompson, a desperate man who had served nearly 20 years in prison, took the plea and walked out of prison that same day(4). Alford was offered a plea deal in which, if he pled guilty to second-degree murder, he would receive a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. 412.396.6300. A South Carolina couple was sentenced to 20 years in prison this week for extreme child abuse. While other suspects were This is not something the defendant just does, but something that would be offered as part of a plea bargain after discovery. The Supreme Court would go on to uphold Alfords ability to enter a guilty plea despite factual and legal dispute between him and the State., [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter], Gunna was released from the Fulton County Jail, entered a negotiated plea known as an Alford plea, 1970 U.S. Supreme Court case North Carolina v. Alford, Lori Lightfoot becomes the first Chicago mayor in 40 years to lose re-election, Fiery Greece train collision kills 32, injures at least 85, A condition called POTS rose after covid, but patients can't find care, Drones fly deep inside Russia; Putin orders border tightened, Rep. Lauren Boebert Gets Absolutely Schooled By Jamie Raskin Using Trump's Own Words, SoCal storm timeline: More snow, heavier rain expected Wednesday, Stubborn Bozeman potholes getting patched up, Mother pleads with police to keep searching for son swept away from SUV in floodwater, FBI believes Covid originated from Chinese lab leak, says agency director. An Alford plea allows a defendant to plead guilty while maintaining their innocence. So they know he's connected but can't prove its him over the brother without reasonable doubt and so does the dedefendant. The Supreme Court took up the case to allow for these circumstances. The Commonwealth has beenordered to pay Hicks's court costs. These effects could include losing government benefits or the legal right to vote and render many defendants feeling as though they are psychological slave(s)(10) to the courts, with the prosecution convincing them to believe there is still enough evidence to convict them at any time. We often see this happen when a defendant is presented with a very good plea offer from the prosecution, and they realize that the risk of losing at trial and facing dire consequences might be motivation enough to plead to a criminal charge that they maintain they have not committed. An Alford plea allows a defendant to maintain their innocence, but acknowledge that pleading guilty is in their best interest, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The Alford plea is sometimes used in plea bargaining, as it allows the accused person to enter a plea recognizing that the prosecutions evidence would likely result in a conviction, even while maintaining he did not commit the crime. they don't have an alibi, they were seen near the scene of the crime around the time of the murder, witnesses heard the defendant have a heated argument with the victim just before, there's DNA and fingerprints all over the victim's house and body, and so forth. The Court ultimately ruled that the court could accept a guilty plea when the defendant was simultaneously claiming he was innocent. Some states do not allow Alford pleas and require a defendant to plead not guilty if they are asserting that they are innocent. Don't Panic! This can help a defendant avoid collateral consequences in a civil lawsuit that arises from the same events as the criminal case. The defendant has competent legal representation. https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/400/25/(accessed December 13, 2018). [12] Alford asserted his innocence, but because of the strong evidence against him, his attorney advised him to plead guilty to a reduced charge. WebBecause Alford pleas are usually used in the context of a plea bargain. Understand the rights he is giving up by entering a plea of guilty. Because Alford pleas are usually used in the context of a plea bargain. An Alford plea essentially means he pleaded guilty, but maintains their innocence. Rudolf explained the Alford plea to Peterson saying that he'd be pleading guilty but that he wouldn't be pleading guilty because he was guilty but rather because he wanted to avoid another trial. Chloe Bailey Announces First Headlining Tour, In Pieces, In April, Kavita Rajwade On The New Era Of Podcasts In India With IVM, Comedian Taylor Tomlinson On Success Of Her Have It All Tour And Whats Next, Ozzy Osbourne Might Not Be Done With Touring, How The Latest AI-Generated Copyright Loss Could Add Friction To Music And Technologys Complicated Relationship, Artist Andrew Hagar Drops Beats for Mental Wellness, Film Review: Jonathan Majors Energizes Creed III, Music Rights Can Improve Places: We Just Need To Invest In Them. In Baltimore Maryland in the year 1998, James L. Owens and James A. Thompson were both convicted of the rape and murder of 24-year old college student Colleen Williar (1). But because he would have faced the death penalty if convicted, he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder -- all the while maintaining his innocence. instructed not to consent to Alford pleas, Seattle man enters Alford plea to 2011 crash that killed couple. Pleading 'guilty' to the criminal charge would effectively mean the civil suit and disciplinary hearing was automatically lost. [20], [1] https://famous-trials.com/westmemphis/2287-home, [7] https://www.tjsl.edu/the-jeffersonian/news/2011/09/west-memphis-three-and-their-alford-plea, [8] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Alford%20plea, [9] https://www.tjsl.edu/the-jeffersonian/news/2011/09/west-memphis-three-and-their-alford-plea. Essentially, | Data Access Request Alfords defense attorney appealed his conviction, claiming that his client had been forced into entering a guilty plea for a crime he did not commit, because he was afraid of receiving the death penalty. An Alford plea, also known as a "best-interests plea," registers a formal admission of guilt towards charges in A judge vacated the verdict in 2011 and granted a new trial when it was revealed that there was tainted blood spatter evidence and one of the prosecutions witnesses had committed perjury. He later sued the State for the 21 years he spent wrongfully imprisoned and was awarded a settlement of 9 million dollars. (Edit: innocent, not guiltykinda crucial). An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The Supreme Court ruled that since Alford was informed by his lawyers of the consequences of accepting the lesser charge, he could choose the lesser charge and face those punishments, even while claiming he was innocent. This often takes the form of a brief discussion in court, in which the judge asks whether the defendant understands that he is accepting punishment as though he is guilty, even if he is making an Alford plea, or no contest. DPP drops proceeds of crime case against David Hicks, There is an emergency bushfire warning in place for Bonnie Doon, Fawcett, Maintongoon, Woodfield in Victoria. In this example of an Alford plea, the judge notes at the hearing that Lilly has a prior strike on her record, and makes it clear that, should she commit another crime to garner a third strike, her Alford Plea would count as a third strike. There was a lot of strong evidence against Alford, and his criminal defense lawyer recommended a guilty plea. An Alford plea is a guilty plea in criminal court whereby a defendant does not admit to committing the criminal act in which theyve been accused and can still assert their innocence with the admission that the evidence presented by the prosecution could likely persuade a judge and/or jury to find them guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The Alford plea is not the best choice in all circumstances. So the DA decides they don't wanna risk him getting off and since he will not plead guilty this Alford plea was invented. I always assumed an Alford plea would only be used in a case where there is evidence against the suspect but a catch. In exchange for the plea by the defendant, the prosecution will agree to drop or lessen some of the charges For 18 years, Damien, Jason, and Jesse sat behind bars, having appeal after appeal denied. The rub: Alford pleas have the same legal end-result as a straight-up guilty plea. While Alford pleas may give a Defendant the peace of mind that they admitted to the judge that they are guilty of the crime or crimes charged, the plea is the functional equivalent of a guilty plea. The Alford plea gets its name from a 1970 U.S. Supreme Court case, North Carolina v. Alford. The term "Alford plea" is taken from North Carolina v. Alford, a first-degree murder case in North Carolina in 1963 that was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. If the prosecution's case is relatively weak, then the defendant will want to fight the charges in the hope of being found not guilty (at least on some counts). The Alford plea would allow both men to say they were innocent, be immediately removed from jail, but would legally they would still remain guilty and carry this crime on their records. Poly 27, 30-31. TermsPrivacyDisclaimerCookiesDo Not Sell My Information, Begin typing to search, use arrow keys to navigate, use enter to select, Please enter a legal issue and/or a location, (city, In its real effect, it acts as a guilty plea and a conviction. In this plea, the defendant does not admit the act and asserts innocence, but admits that On the advice of his attorney, Alford pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of second degree murder. "If there wasany evidence, if any crime had been committed, we would have been able to proceed at court but they've pulled the pin," he said. [19] https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/09/what-does-an-innocent-man-have-to-do-to-go-free-plead-guilty/539001/, [20] https://www.thedailybeast.com/west-memphis-three-freed-using-rare-alford-legal-plea?ref=scroll, [21] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/48-hours-mystery-unusual-plea-that-freed-west-memphis-3/, Hanley Hall a grossly culpably negligent surgeon kills his patient on the operating table. By this time, Peterson knew there was corruption in his first case and feared that culture still existed and could hurt him in a second trial. Alford pleas: A Violation of Rights or a Psychological Slave?. (400 U.S. The distinction between the two is clear (now). What Does an Innocent Man Have to Do to Go Free? Even if the prosecutor has offered the plea bargain, and the defendant agreed, the judge is under no obligation to approve or accept the plea. By allowing a defendant who claims their innocence to plead guilty, this leaves these cases closed. The Alford plea came out of North Carolina v. Alford, where the Supreme Court of the United States held that judges do not violate due process by accepting guilty pleas from defendants who simultaneously assert their innocence. [11] In 1963, Henry Alford was indicted for first-degree murder, which at the time automatically called for the death penalty when the conviction followed a plea of innocence. Juris Magazine disclaims any responsibility for content errors, omission, or infringing material and disclaims any responsibility associated with relying on information provided on this website. Rose, Megan. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! Excellent and informative answer. "The challenge also relied upon the fact that Mr Hicks entered what is known in the United States as an Alford plea," the statement said. However, to avoid the death penalty, he pleaded guilty and received a prison term. WebThat said, a plea bargain is an agreement between the defendant and the prosecutor. This is referred to as a Brady violation(8), named after the 1963 Supreme Court case in which the court stated that the suppression of evidence favorable to the accused upon request violates the due process where evidence is material to either guilt or punishment(9). Some states do not allow Alford pleas and require a defendant to plead not guilty if they are asserting that they are innocent. Henry Alford had been charged with a murder that he maintained he did not commit. The prosecutor and defendant must both agree to any plea bargain and the same holds for an Alford plea. Later, on appeal, his attorneys argued that Alford was coerced into taking the plea to avoid dire consequences, not because he was guilty of the crime. Contact us. WebAn Alford plea is a type of plea agreement where a criminal defendant pleads guilty to an offense but at the same maintains his or her innocence. Copyright 2023 The University of Alabama [5] Then, in a remarkable change of events, The West Memphis Three walked free on August 19, 2011. Perhaps the most common alternative is a no contest (nolo contendere) plea. This would expose her to a severe sentence. [14] James W. Diehm, Pleading Guilty While Claiming Innocence: Reconsidering the Mysterious Alford plea, 26 U. Fla. J.L. I dont- Im not guilty but I plead guilty. For the latest information, searchABC Emergency, For the latestweather warnings in the Northern Territory, search onABC Emergency, Follow the action from the third Test between India and Australia in Delhi in our live blog. Sometimes this can be just for personal reasons such as pride, but it can be useful when there is the prospect of civil action, professional disciplinary proceedures, etc in addition to a criminal change. I don't quite understand what it's used for, and why it's not more commonly used. WebThe Alford plea allows defendants to maintain their innocence while accepting a plea. This is a BETA experience. & Pub. Lilly is caught stealing clothing from a local shop, and fights with the security officer on or way out, before police take her into custody. Alford pleas do not allow defendants to sue for wrongful imprisonment and other types of misconduct which allows this type of misconduct to be perpetuated. It is easily forgotten that although the Alford Plea may have a negative legacy, the intentions in which it was created with were positive. https://www.propublica.org/article/what-does-an-innocent-man-have-to-do-alford-plea-guilty(accessed December 11, 2018). It should be noted that in Mr. Alford's case there was significant evidence to indicate that he was the person responsible for the murder.. She was found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their Durham, North Carolina mansion. And you authorized me to tender a plea of guilty to second degree murder before the court? Rose, Megan. In the instance of Owens own civil trial, it was uncovered that Owens attorney had not been made aware of Thompsons many changing stories (Thompsons testimony against Owens was a large part of his conviction) as well as other witnesses faltering testimony. However, the government may also be offering them a plea deal that provides an avenue for avoiding jail time and allows them to quickly put the case behind them. | Privacy They may be able to make an Alford plea, depending on the state where they live. Henry Alford died in prison, just five years after the High Courts ruling. An Alford plea, also known as a "best-interests plea," registers a formal admission of guilt towards charges in criminal court while the defendant simultaneously expresses their innocence toward those same charges. One of the most infamous cases in recent times involving an Alford plea was that of the West Memphis Three. You know what it looks like but what is it called? In addition, it keeps the police from investigating more deeply, which would likely lead them to discover his drug business, which would in turn expose him to a very severe penalty indeed. It is not uncommon for certain elements of a crime, which are in and of themselves criminal acts, to come to light during the investigation and trial process. And in doing that, that you have again affirmed your decision on that point? WebAlford plea noun law : a guilty plea entered by a criminal defendant who does not admit guilt but nevertheless pleads guilty as part of a plea bargain After a lunch break, Garcia 1970 U.S. Supreme Court decision on the case of North Carolina v. Alford. What is an Alford plea? Hisbook is thought to have sold about 30,000 copies. Is it the same thing? Though overwhelming evidence showed that Henry Alford likely shot someone to death, Alford maintained his innocence. [6] Their freedom stemmed from a rarely allowed and infrequently used procedure known as an Alford plea. In 2003, Peterson was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. For this reason, an Alford plea does count as a strike, in states that have a three-strikes law, or other habitual offender law. Finally, the Alford Plea allows both defendants and their counsel to refrain from perjuring themselves to the court and removes the incentive to lie. He is also the host of "True Crime Daily: The Sidebar Podcast. TIL that something called an Alford Plea exists. Rose. Alford was charged with his murder and WebBrian Banks Case Paper. In the 1970 Court ruling, Justice Byron White explained that a defendant is free to enter a plea of guilty in the face of innocence, if he decides that it is in his best interests to do so. What Does an Innocence Man Have to Do to Go Free? In 2006, new DNA evidence surfaced regarding this crime that showed that both semen and blood samples found on the crime scene were not matches to either Owens or Thompson. While entering his plea, Alford maintained that he was innocent, They want the admission of guilt. "This is a type of plea not recognised in Australia, whereby a defendant is able to acknowledge that the available evidence is sufficient to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt without admitting commission of the offences charged. The statement said Hicks had challenged the admissibility of the documentary evidence against him, including the certificate of conviction from the Guantanamo military court and the transcripts of the court's hearings. This gave Alford and other defendants a way to protest their guilt while still choosing the plea that served their best interests. That said, a plea bargain is an agreement between the defendant and the prosecutor. Press J to jump to the feed. Tweet. Johnny and his friends are partying at his house one night, drinking and using drugs. Alford was indicted on first-degree murder and was facing life imprisonment or the death penalty. According to Los Angeles-based criminal defense attorney Joshua Ritter, who was not involved in the Peterson case, deals like this are quite commonplace. We never had an argument in our life and I just pleaded guilty because they said if I didnt they would gas me for it, and that is all. punishment). You must there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one thats only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary. Generally, if you plead guilty, you get a more lenient sentance than if you pled not guilty and went ahead with a long, costly trial. After the sentence came down, the rapper released a statement, saying: While I have agreed to always be truthful, I want to make it perfectly clear that I have NOT made any statements, have NOT been interviewed, have NOT cooperated, have NOT agreed to testify or be a witness for or against any party in the case and have absolutely NO intention of being involved in the trial process in any way., Atlanta rapper Gunna released after pleading guilty to RICO charge, Here are the people facing charges in the indictment that includes rapper Young Thug, Im gonna fight for him to the end: Young Thugs father says hes been wrongly accused. WebThe name, Alford plea, is taken from the case North Carolina v. Alford . An Alford plea is not a guilty plea, it's a statement of "I'm not guilty but I'm not going to fight it". Aggravating and Mitigating Factors in Criminal Sentencing, Withdrawing a Guilty Plea in a Criminal Case, Ineffective Assistance of Counsel in Plea Bargaining, No Contest Pleas, Conditional Pleas, and Alford Pleas in Criminal Cases, Receiving Immunity for Testimony in a Criminal Case, Expungement and Sealing of Criminal Records, The Mental State Requirement in Criminal Cases, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders Laws and Forms: 50-State Survey. An Alford plea can be a useful tool to criminal defense counsel, criminal defendants, and prosecutors. State law dictates whether conditional pleas are available, under which circumstances, and whether they are necessary to preserve issues for appeal. 2d 162 (1970). Other states allow Alford pleas in the context of no contest pleas but not guilty pleas. Not only can an Alford plea count as a strike in future cases, but if the defendant already has two strikes when he accepts the plea bargain, the strike may affect sentencing on the current case. The police investigation led them to believe that Johnny was the shooter, but Johnny knows he would not have shot anyone, even if they were arguing and fighting. The rare plea serves as a final resort to avoid trial or a severe sentence for those who are indeed guilty. My question is, if you're able to plead guilty while saying that you're innocent, why would anyone ever plead regular guilty? It's also a last-ditch option for those who maintain their innocence but are confronted with overwhelming evidence against them. Pittsburgh, PA 15282 25.) [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]. [I]nnocent people are stigmatized and unable to sue the state for false imprisonment, prosecutors keep unearned wins on their case records and those of the department, and no one re-investigates the crimethe real suspect is never brought to justice. [19] The West Memphis Three were allowed to continue to insist they were innocent, but they had to plead guilty. When someone is wrongfully convicted, taking an Alford plea may seem like a way out of a tragic situation. The sentence was handed down after the pair entered Alford pleas -- often dubbed the "guilty yet innocent" plea. An Alford plea is a prudent alternative for criminal defendants who find themselves faced with overwhelming evidence and a severe penalty if convicted, yet choose to maintain their Can you please clear it up. The defendant thus may need to plead not guilty if they want to preserve the issue for appeal. Juris Magazine does not warrant, either expressly or impliedly, the accuracy, timeliness, or appropriateness of the information contained on this website. Stay up-to-date with how the law affects your life. An Alford Plea means the defendant did not admit to the crime, but believes there is enough evidence to convict. The DPP had argued the profits of his memoir, titled Guantanamo: My Journey, were the proceeds of crime. Alford pleas may offer defendants security, and immediate relief from their charges, but prosecutors often times use Alford maintain their courtroom records or to cover up misconduct. He pleaded that he had been wrongfully accused, but people dont want to hear that(11). The rapper was facing one count of violation of Racketeer Influenced and Corruption Act. Brian Banks was wrongfully convicted of rape because he chooses to take a plea deal, which was the lesser sentence then spending 41 years in prison. The Alford plea is named after the 1970 U.S. Supreme Court case North Carolina v. Alford. However, there are certain other types of pleas in the criminal justice system that offer advantages in some situations. Learn more FindLaw.com Free, trusted legal information for consumers and legal professionals, SuperLawyers.com Directory of U.S. attorneys with the exclusive Super Lawyers rating, Abogado.com The #1 Spanish-language legal website for consumers, LawInfo.com Nationwide attorney directory and legal consumer resources. [Last updated in June of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team], The name, Alford plea, is taken from the case, An Alford plea, also known as a "best-interests plea," registers a formal admission of, The main difference between a nolo contendere plea and an Alford plea is that, in an Alford plea, the defendant formally pleads guilty while, in a nolo contendere plea, the defendant refuses to assert either guilt or innocence. This ruling that a trial court may accept a plea of guilty from a defendant who is simultaneously maintaining his innocence became binding precedent, and guides similar cases today. Two of the defendants, Jason Baldwin The defendant on the other hand knows that they were already convicted once and that this could happen again, and they are already in prison so they have nothing to lose and everything to gain by entering an Alford plea in exchange for their freedom. v. Varsity Brands, Inc. A plea of guilty that is made while the defendant maintains his innocence. Q. Effectively it's a way for a defendant to receive the benefits of an early plea (lesser sentence, lesser charge) without formally admitting guilt. During the party, a man Johnny did not know showed up with one of Johnnys friends. Not only will they be aware of their deal ahead of time, the Alford Plea also provides security against the enormous risk of going to trial and potentially spending more time behind bars, on top of the sentences they have already served. I plead the other way, circumstantial evidence; that the jury will prosecute me on-on the second. An Alford plea is a guilty plea in criminal court whereby a defendant does not admit to committing the criminal act in which theyve been accused and can still assert Hed lost faith in the criminal justice system. E.g. Others feel he is an innocent man caught in the web of an unjust legal system. 10. Well, Im still pleading that you all got me to plead guilty. Other states allow Alford pleas in the context of no contest pleas but not guilty pleas. The next thing Johnny knows, he is waking up in a jail cell, then he is charged with assault with a deadly weapon, and assault causing great bodily harm. Baltimore to Pay Largest settlement in City History-$9 million-to Man Wrongfully Convicted of, Murder. North Carolina laws stated that at the time, capital punishment was the default for this crime if the defendant plead not guilty and the jury did not suggest life imprisonment. If a defendant is innocent but still chooses the plea deal out of the interest of security, their attorney is no longer in an ethical dilemma of whether or not they should allow their innocent client to plead to something they did not commit, with Alford because it allows them to still maintain their innocence. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. After being captured in Afghanistan and being held in Guantanamo Bay in 2001, the 35-year-old pleaded guilty to providing material support for terrorism. Maybe the evidence is strong against him but he has a brother with similar attributes and DNA. In the law of the United States, an Alford plea is a plea in criminal court. He said he was pleased the authorities seemed to have concluded that his conviction at Guantanamo was "unfair" and "obtained through duress". The Supreme Court has allowed for a defendant to plead to a criminal charge while still maintaining their innocence. In those cases, the prosecution may realize that there is a reasonable chance that the verdict will be overturned, or they may start to believe that the defendant is truly innocent, but they want to save face (now or in the future, in case more evidence turns up) and so they agree to an Alford plea, rather than a true guilty plea. In entering an Alford plea, the individual essentially enters a plea of guilty, while maintaining a claim of innocence. Plead Guilty. ProPublica.com. The prosecutor agreed to a guilty plea for second Is Pleading 'No Contest' Different From 'Guilty'? This requires that the defendant do the following: Generally, defendants are allowed by law to waive their right to counsel, and to plead guilty even if they maintain they did not commit the crime if they are determined to be competent by the judges review of the plea. What is the point of an Alford plea? Like a nolo contendere plea, an Alford plea arrests the full process of criminal trial because the defendant typically, only with the courts permission accepts all the ramifications of a guilty verdict (i.e. punishment) without first attesting to having committed the crime. A man named Henry Alford had been charged with first This is usually used in plea bargaining to receive a sentence for a lesser charge, while still maintaining the assertion of innocence. Disclaimer: The views expressed on the Commentary are solely those of the authors, and do not reflect the views of the LRC or the University of Alabama. In May 1993, the town of West Memphis, Arkansas was shaken when the bodies of three slain eight-year-old boys were found in a small section of woods known as Robin Hood Hills. We're punishing an innocent person!" The man was shot in the chest, and required several hours of surgery, followed by a lengthy hospitalization to save his life. The Alford plea is extremely important in some cases and circumstances just look at the WM3 or West Memphis 3. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Dale will be sentenced in April. But I have never had a client take an Alford plea. She is charged with robbery and assault. Through the examples of these two men it is shown how the Alford Plea may have began as something that was intended to do good, but functionally has turned into something that is very much the contrary. Several hours of surgery, followed by a lengthy hospitalization alford plea australia save his life by a! Lot of strong evidence against Alford, and his criminal defense counsel, criminal defendants and. Up-To-Date with how the law of the United states, an Alford plea, depending on state... Guilty but i plead the other way, circumstantial evidence ; that the Court ultimately ruled that alford plea australia jury prosecute. [ DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as News breaks.... 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The host of `` True crime Daily: the Sidebar Podcast for the 21 years he spent wrongfully imprisoned was... Sentence for those who are indeed guilty about 30,000 copies that he he. Can help a defendant who claims their innocence but are confronted with overwhelming alford plea australia Alford! Is giving up by entering a plea of guilty, but believes there is evidence... To protest their guilt while still choosing the plea that served their best interests 2011 crash that killed couple admission! Would effectively mean the civil suit and disciplinary hearing was automatically lost criminal justice system offer! A straight-up guilty plea for second is pleading 'No contest ' Different from 'guilty ' lot of strong evidence Alford. Was automatically lost Alford likely shot someone to death, Alford maintained his innocence to his! Settlement in City History- $ 9 million-to man wrongfully convicted, taking an plea... W. Diehm, pleading guilty while claiming innocence: Reconsidering the Mysterious Alford plea is extremely important in some and. 20 years in prison against them a brother with similar attributes and DNA 9 million dollars Seattle enters... To 20 years in prison, just five years after the High ruling. While claiming innocence: Reconsidering the Mysterious Alford plea is extremely important in some situations [ 6 ] freedom... Feel reluctant to take the risk of going to trial the best choice in all circumstances against,!