GUILTY

The state or condition of a person who has committed a crime, misdemeanor or offence. 2. This word implies a malicious intent, and must be applied to something universally allowed to be a crime. Cowp. 275. 3. In pleading, it is a plea by which a defendant who is charged with a crime, misdemeanor or tort, admits or confesses it. In criminal proceedings, when the accused is arraigned, the clerk asks him,: How say you, A B, are you guilty or not guilty? His answer, which is given ore tenus, is called his plea; and when he admits the charge in the indictment he answers or pleads guilty. Having committed a crime or tort; the word used by a prisoner in pleading to an indictment when he confesses the crime of which he is charged, and by the jury in convicting.