A guilty plea is a statement made by an individual accused of committing a crime, admitting that they are responsible for the offense. This means that the person has accepted legal responsibility for their actions and acknowledges that they have broken the law. A guilty plea can be entered in court during a formal proceeding or as part of a negotiated settlement with prosecutors. In exchange for the defendant's admission of guilt, the judge may agree to reduce the charges or the severity of the punishment. The purpose of a guilty plea is to bring closure to the case and avoid the time, expense, and uncertainty of going through a trial.