A "plea" is a formal statement made by a defendant in a legal case, indicating their response to a charge. The most common types of pleas are "guilty," "not guilty," and "no contest." A guilty plea means the defendant admits to the crime, while a not guilty plea indicates they deny the charges. A no contest plea allows the defendant to accept the consequences without admitting guilt. In criminal law, pleas are important because they can significantly affect the outcome of a case. For example, a guilty plea may lead to a plea bargain, where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for a lighter sentence. This process often involves negotiations between the defendant's attorney and the prosecution, aiming to resolve the case without going to trial.