To be Guilty or not to be Guilty

Abstract

The efficacy of the question” How do you plead, guilty or not guilty?” is discussed and analyzed in the light of the etymology of the word “guilt.” A survey of alternative approaches to pleadings was carried out involving questionnaires returned by 26 countries (out of 64 submissions). The authors conclude that our system of justice would he better served by the elimination or modification of the question “How do you plead, guilty or not guilty?”