Louisiana Private Investigator Licensing Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a recognized plea to an indictment?

1. Guilty

2. Not guilty

3. Insanity defense

4. Not guilty by reason of act

The correct answer is: Not guilty by reason of act

In understanding pleas to an indictment, it is important to recognize the standard legal terminologies used in the context of a criminal defense. When a defendant responds to an indictment, the recognized pleas typically include "guilty," indicating acceptance of the charges, and "not guilty," where the defendant denies the allegations and requires the prosecution to prove their case. The insanity defense, while a legitimate argument that can be made in the course of a legal defense, is not categorized as a standalone plea but rather as a defense strategy that may accompany a "not guilty" plea. This strategy asserts that due to mental illness, the defendant was unable to comprehend the nature of their actions or distinguish right from wrong at the time of the offense. The phrase "not guilty by reason of act," on the other hand, does not clarify a standard plea recognized in the legal system. The traditional legal structure does not categorize this as a separate plea; instead, it resembles terminologies used in various discussions around theory of liability or culpability, but it deviates from the established legal classifications of how one formally responds to an indictment. Thus, recognizing the frameworks of legal responses, the choice of "not guilty by reason of act" stands out as the option that does not