Which of the following is NOT a type of plea a defendant can enter?

The term "meritorious" does not refer to an accepted type of plea a defendant can enter in the criminal justice system. Instead, the commonly recognized pleas include "guilty," where the defendant admits to the crime; "not guilty," where the defendant denies the charges and seeks a trial; and "no contest," which means the defendant does not contest the charges but does not admit guilt.

The absence of "meritorious" as an official plea reflects the legal structure surrounding pleas, which are designed to categorize a defendant's response to the charges rather than evaluating the merits of the case itself. This structure is important for ensuring that defendants can clearly express their positions regarding the criminal charges they face.