When a defendant enters a guilty plea, the defendant waives the right to trial and, unless the plea is an Alford plea or a plea of nolo contendere, admits to the court that he/she committed the offense If the court accepts the plea, the case proceeds to sentencing
Formal admission in court as to guilt of having committed criminal act charged which a defendant may make if he or she does so intelligently and voluntarily, i e , accused can only make such plea after he or she has been fully advised of rights and court has determined that accused understands such rights and is making plea voluntarily It is equivalent to and is binding as a conviction after trial on the merits, and it has the same effect in law as a verdict of guilty and authorizes imposition of punishment prescribed by law
Formal admission in court as to guilty which defendant may make if he or she does so intelligently and voluntarily; i e accused can only make such plea after he or she has been fully advised of rights and court has determined that accused understands such rights and is making plea voluntarily