In federal cases, the Rules of Federal Criminal Procedure allow such pleas, with the court's permission. Some defendants enter a plea of "no contest" as a way to accept a plea bargain without admitting guilt. About half the states in the U.S. use the MNaughten Rule, which states: A defendant may be found not guilty by reason of insanity if at the time of committing the act, he was laboring under such a defect of reason from disease of the mind as not to know the nature and quality of the act he was doing, or if he did know it, that he did not know what he was doing was wrong. (Commonly referred to as the right/wrong test.). District Judge Paul Woodward found Matthew Mallory, 36, guilty of two counts each of first degree rape and sexual abuse of a child, sentencing him to serve four consecutive life sentences for the crimes of which he was convicted. Does an Alford conviction have the same effect as a guilty plea after a full colloquy? By entering an insanity plea, also referred to as insanity defense, the defendant is claiming a full defense to the criminal act, essentially pleading not guilty. The second area involves the "collateral consequences" of a conviction. State v. Andrews, 253 Conn. 497, 502-503 (2000). One of the setbacks of a plea bargain is the unfortunate incident that a person who is not guilty to a crime but lack the evidence to prove this otherwise will be forced to admit to the accusation just so lesser penalty will be imposed. Can't be used as evidence in civil cases: An Alford plea is not an admission of guilt and it can't be used as evidence in any civil case, which can limit the options for the victim to seek further compensation. State v. Madera, 198 Conn. 92, 97 n.5 (1985); cf. Additionally, accepting an Alford plea may have a negative effect on the defendants reputation and can potentially disqualify them from certain programs and benefits. There are three common plea types used in the U.S. legal system. The crux of the issue here is that Herndon felt that with an Alford plea, he was able to maintain innocence. While entering his plea, Alford maintained that he was innocent, but pleading guilty due to the threat of the death penalty, according to the Legal Information Institute at Cornell University. On the advice of his attorney, Alford pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of second degree murder. It recognizes freedmen 's rights as well. When asked to enter his plea, Alford said: I pleaded guilty on second degree murder because they said there is too much evidence, but I ain't shot no man, but I take the fault for the other man. He took the deal but when it came time to state his plea in court, Alford insisted that he was not guilty. The Pros of Plea Bargaining. TermsPrivacyDisclaimerCookiesDo Not Sell My Information, Begin typing to search, use arrow keys to navigate, use enter to select, Please enter a legal issue and/or a location, Begin typing to search, use arrow In a criminal court case, the defendants plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest, is his formal response to the charges against him. What Can I Do to Help My Attorney in My Criminal Case? Lott v. United States, 367 U.S. 421 (1961). During the plea An Alford plea, also known as a "Alford doctrine" or "Alford guilty plea," is a legal plea in which a defendant pleads guilty to a criminal charge, but does not admit to the act and asserts innocence. In some criminal cases, the defendant claims he is not responsible for his actions, as they occurred during a mental health episode. There would be a court hearing where the parties present the terms of the plea agreement to the judge. The arraignment must be held within a short time following the individuals arrest, as this is part of his Constitutional right to a speedy trial. The What Are My Rights to Discovery in a Criminal Case? The term "Alford Plea" has come to apply to any case in which the defendant tenders a guilty plea but denies that he or she has in fact committed the crime. They may accept a plea bargain arrangement from one defendant in return for damaging testimony against another. Then the judge would decide whether or not to approve the plea agreement. Not only do these pleas harm the justice system as a whole, it is also important to remember the During the arraignment phase of the trial, the court has the right to refuse the defendants guilty or no contest plea if specific elements are not met. No need to gas up natural gas is bad for the environment! However, where the defendant seeks to plead to the whole indictment via an Alford plea, the prosecutor has no right to stop this. This information was gleaned from various sources and various jurisdictions on the internet. Stigma: An Alford plea may be seen as an indication of guilt by the public or the victim, which can affect the defendant's reputation. Plea bargaining refers to the negotiations between prosecutors and defense lawyers on how to resolve criminal charges. Manage Settings Accepting a plea bargain could also save you a lot of money on attorney's fees if there is a strong likelihood of a conviction anyway. An individual accused of a crime has the right to enter the plea of his choice, though an experienced attorney may assist him in deciding which type of plea would be most to his benefit. Conditional Pleas. Borg drinking fad has pros and cons, counselor says by: Michael Bartiromo. Webster's New World Law Last week, an Okarche man accused of raping a 14-year old girl entered an Alford plea in Kingfisher County District Court. He failed to comply with that order by continuing to refuse to admit his guilt in counseling, which was a requirement of the counseling. While plea bargains are worked out between the prosecutor and defendant, they must ultimately be approved by the court. . Guilty pleas, no contest pleas, and Alford pleas all result in criminal conviction without a trial by jury. Posted: Feb 26, 2023 / 11:49 AM CST. See also: Alford plea A plea bargain's advantage is that it may give you exponentially less severe penalties than a conviction at trial. Thus, it determined that the district court did not abuse its discretion when it excluded the Alford plea based on 403 grounds. Merchants Mutual Ins. We never had an argument in our life and I just pleaded guilty because they said if I didn't they would gas me for it, and that is all. A prosecutor will want an Alford-based conviction to be valid for purposes of future enhanced sentencing. When this happens, the judge often attempts to understand why the defendant is refusing to plea, and may try to convince him to do so. The case involved three Arkansas teens who were convicted of murdering three eight-year-old boys in 1994. It can lead to an innocent admitting to a crime. the functional equivalent [to an unconditional] plea of nolo contendere". Get tailored advice and ask your legal questions. Herndon actually did do two of the polygraph examinations, but refused to do the third one, saying he did not want to admit guilt because he had not been convicted of a sex offense. The Alford plea is different from a traditional guilty plea in that a guilty plea implies that the defendant is admitting to the crime, while an Alford plea allows the defendant to maintain their innocence while acknowledging that the prosecution has enough evidence to secure a conviction. Henry C. Alford was accused of first-degree murder. Last week, an Okarche man accused of raping a 14-year old girl entered an Alford plea in Kingfisher County District Court. Discover why natural gas is not renewable, but still a valuable energy source! Contact a qualified criminal lawyer to make sure your rights are protected. Closure for victims: An Alford plea can provide closure for victims and their families, as it allows for a resolution in the case without the need for a trial. | Last updated March 14, 2019. Though there were no witnesses to the crime, witness testimony showed that Alford went home to get a gun and stated his intention of killing the victim. Congress has the best plan for the U.S. Reconstruction. The West Menphis Three (pictured here) is a good case study of using the Alford Plea. There's also the natural tendency to want to trade risk for certainty. I don't - I'm not guilty but I plead guilty.'' The answer again is yes. In the U.S., pleas are entered in all criminal procedures, given in during a criminal arraignment in most jurisdictions. In some states, it is only acceptable in specific circumstances. Thus, the prosecutor can refuse to accept an Alford as a plea to a lesser charge. 1995-2022 LawInfo, part of Thomson Reuters. Mathieu: So why has it become popular, though? The United States Supreme Court found this type of plea to be constitutionally acceptable in North Carolina v. Alford, 400 U.S. 25 (1970). Though the court admitted the Alford plea into evidence, it should be noted that the same judge made an earlier ruling that while admissible, Alford plea evidence is not conclusive of fault in a subsequent civil case. . Request a case review. Alford was so afraid of receiving the death penalty if his case went to trial, that he pleaded guilty to a crime that he claimed he did not commit. No matter how strong the evidence may be, no case is a foregone conclusion. Once the court has accepted a guilty or no contest plea, the defendant can only withdraw that plea if: Once a defendant has been sentenced on a guilty plea, the plea cannot be withdrawn for any reason. An Alford plea is a prudent alternative for criminal defendants who find themselves faced with overwhelming evidence and a severe penalty if convicted, yet choose to maintain their The state offered Alford a plea deal, wherein he would plead guilty to second-degree murder and face up to 30 years in prison. North Carolina v Alford, 40 US 25, 91 S Ct 160, 27 L Ed2d 162 (1970). The Phillips & Associates Oklahoma Law Blog, Plea Options in Oklahoma: The Alford Plea, Site and Content Copyright Dustin S. Phillips - All Rights Reserved. When a defendant pleads guilty, a factual colloquy is usually required. Webchase koch wife; foreclosed properties quebec; if she'd had more self awareness grammar; bluepearl specialty and emergency pet hospital locations; best defensive tactics fm22 Harnessing the power of the wind: a clean and renewable resource! We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Ins. It's important to note that an Alford plea is a legal strategy that should be carefully considered by defendants and their attorneys, and that it may not be the best option in all cases. Discovering coal deposits around the world an adventure for the ages! Your submission has been received! In 1993, Lorena Bobbitt, a young housewife from Manassas, Virginia, found herself thrust into the public eye when she was charged with mutilating her husband, after she cut off his penis with a large kitchen knife. An Alford plea may be attempted when reduced-charge plea negotiations are either not undertaken or prove unsuccessful. The entry of a guilty plea under the Alford doctrine carries the same consequences as a standard plea of guilty. Why isnt coal a mineral? Firms, Expungement Handbook - Procedures and Law, Plea Bargain Advantages and Disadvantages, Complex criminal defense situations usually require a lawyer, Defense attorneys can help protect your rights, A lawyer can seek to reduce or eliminate criminal penalties. The defendant shows up in court for what's called a plea allocution, where the defendant has to mention in open court that they're guilty, with an eye toward determining whether or not the plea is being rendered voluntarily. In choosing to plead guilty, the defendant is waiving several constitutional rights, including his privilege against self- incrimination, his right to trial by jury, and his right to confront his accusers." It is also referred to as a plea of no contest or no defense.. The primary benefit of an Alford plea is to allow a criminal defendant to resolve the criminal case without that criminal case plea being used against them in the civil case if the former plea was based solely on the resolution of the criminal case. This may be beneficial as it allows the defendant to avoid the harsher penalties that would be associated with those charges. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The Impact of an Alford Plea is the Same as a Guilty Plea This is not something that you should do on your own. With the Alford plea, not only is the real perpetrator not caught but the case is officially closed on the books. Its an oft-used tool in criminal defense and an understanding of its pros and cons can help you make an informed decision if you ever find yourself charged with a crime. One of the benefits of entering into a plea agreement is removing the All rights reserved. The legal standards for determining whether a defendant was legally insane at the time of his crimes vary by jurisdiction. A guilty plea under the Alford doctrine is a judicial oxymoron in that the defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges that the state's evidence against him is so strong that he is prepared to accept the entry of a guilty plea nevertheless." Judges have a similar incentive for wanting a criminal case to be settledreduction of an already congested docket of court cases. For example, you and the prosecution may agree to a misdemeanor charge instead of a felony charge, or you could agree to a sentence of 12 years instead of 20 years if the recommended sentence for that crime is 10 to 20 years in prison. WebThe Alford plea isn't an admission of guilt, quite the opposite, it is an assertion of innocence, but an acknowledgement that the prosecution has sufficient evidence to bring charges, and likely a conviction against the defendant. A conditional plea is a type of guilty plea or no contest plea. Average experience reflects the average number of years that the attorneys at this firm have been licensed to practice law. If the defendants refusal to enter a plea is unfaltering, the judge typically enters a plea of not guilty on the defendants behalf. Both sides are legally required to follow the terms of the plea bargain. This is especially true if you're being represented by an overworked public defender with little time to devote to the case. Harnessing the power of nature for renewable energy biomass is the way to go! Updated: Feb 26, 2023 / 11:49 AM CST. What Happens When You Accept a Plea Deal? For starters, it offers the defendant the opportunity to avoid a potentially lengthy and expensive trial. There could hardly be a clearer violation of due process than sending someone to prison who has neither been found guilty nor admitted his guilt. For those who are not familiar with what that is, basically it is a plea bargain where the defendants position is that he wants to take the plea bargain, but still maintain his innocence. There may or many not also be an "agreement" on a specific sentence, or an agreement by the prosecutor to recommend a specific sentence to the court. A prosecutor may properly cross-examine a defendant about a conviction based on an Alford plea. 160 (1970)) (when the defendant maintains his or her innocence with respect to the charge to which he or she offers to plead guilty) except in the most unusual of /8 ES~mZQLY]jgmd,U(2+.!_h6^Accyp+>Kx)%n8BqB3/k~9~b,*cCO@;[R0izYLtFLNk"2) 3MI5tW~2f+J5h&ADa8x)T22LVR: Gbe Wb#Jf-aN4 iiLG-)f. keys to navigate, use enter to select, Stay up-to-date with how the law affects your life. Whether to accept a plea deal is a difficult decision. In an opinion filed this week in the South Carolina Supreme Court (Opinion No. Copyright 2023, Thomson Reuters. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Therein lies the source of a frequent criticism of the plea bargaining system: Some defendants, even if not actually guilty of the crime, will feel compelled to take the lighter sentence instead of asserting their constitutional right to a fair trial because they cannot afford a "top-shelf" legal defense. In my experience as a former state and federal prosecutor, (and currently, as an Augusta, Georgia criminal defense attorney), I have seen Alford pleas most frequently in white collar criminal cases. 2018 Copyright - All Rights Reserved. After an insanity plea has been entered, the defendant is evaluated by forensic mental health professionals, according to tests and parameters specific to the jurisdiction. A man named Henry Alford had been charged with This allows a defendant to avoid a trial and accept a plea bargain, while still maintaining their innocence. But since the first defendant is being rewarded with a better deal, the reliability of this information sometimes is questionable. WebThe Alford plea arises from a Supreme Court case where Alford plead guilty to a lesser charge to get a more lenient sentence but later changed his mind and claimed he was innocent, and only plead guilty to avoid the harsher punishment. Though the court acknowledged that a conviction based on an Alford plea generally carries the same penalties and collateral consequences as a conventional guilty plea, it emphasized the fact that it had never stated that a district court must admit a guilty plea as evidence in subsequent civil matter. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Instead, the court found that the trial court must carefully scrutinize the factual basis for an Alford plea in order to remedy the conflict inherent in such pleas where a defendant is allowed to plead guilty to a crime while maintaining innocence. The Alford plea is valid for enhanced sentencing purposes. Limited understanding: Not all defendants understand the consequences of an Alford plea, and they may be pressured by their attorneys to accept it without fully understanding the implications. Auto. Below is a sampling of the various points of view among players within the criminal justice system with respect to plea bargain advantages and disadvantages. While he maintained his innocence, he took the plea bargain under Alford. One of the most infamous cases in recent times involving an Alford plea was that of the West Memphis Three. Congress has the best plan for the U.S. Reconstruction. The primary advantage of plea bargaining for the An arraignment is required in any case in which the defendant faces potential incarceration. WebAn Alford plea or no contest plea is a guilty plea with out admitting to the act being charged. Its admitting that the prosecution could potentially prove your guilt but you maintain innocence against the charges. WebPros And Cons Of Gideon Vs Wainwright. The Alford plea was established in 1963 after Henry C. Alford was accused of first-degree murder. The plan Congress made gives freedmen the right to vote. The court rejects the plea agreement made between the defendant and prosecutor, The defendant can show a valid and just cause for withdrawing the plea. Discover why natural gas is the better choice for your energy needs! To schedule your free case evaluation, call our office or fill out our convenient online form today. These include: Both sides will carefully weigh the strength of their case and decide whether it is prudent to go to trial. Plea bargaining results in defendants' pleading guilty or nolo contendere (a plea in which the defendant does not contest the charges, but which carries the same primary Thus, circuit courts are under no duty to provide notice to Alford defendants any differently than the notice provided to defendants entering a standard guilty plea, or those defendants adjudicated guilty. In other cases, the prosecutor may agree to reduce the charged offense to a lesser offense in exchange for the defendant's agreement to plead guilty. Whether there is public pressure to prosecute that particular defendant to the full extent of the law, The individual defendant's desire to go to trial, The seriousness of the potential sentence. FindLaw.com Free, trusted legal information for consumers and legal professionals, SuperLawyers.com Directory of U.S. attorneys with the exclusive Super Lawyers rating, Abogado.com The #1 Spanish-language legal website for consumers, LawInfo.com Nationwide attorney directory and legal consumer resources. Such a plea is valid in New York State. [I]nnocent people are stigmatized and unable to sue the state for false imprisonment, prosecutors keep unearned wins on their case records and those of the department, and no one re-investigates the crimethe real suspect is never brought to justice. The decision whether to accept a plea bargain is not an easy one and will depend on the specific facts of your case, your finances, your criminal history, and other factors. An Alford plea, also known as a "Alford doctrine" or "Alford guilty plea," is a legal plea in which a defendant pleads guilty to a criminal charge, but does not admit to the act and asserts innocence. The common plea types include: A plea bargain is an agreement made between a prosecutor and the defendant in a criminal case. Its called an Alford plea after North Carolina v. Alford, 400 U.S. 25 (1970). If you need an attorney, find one right now. Requirements for Alford Plea. If you are facing criminal charges, you should speak with your defense attorney about the potential of entering into an Alford plea. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Congested docket of court cases bargain is an agreement made between a prosecutor will want an Alford-based conviction be! '' as a plea of guilty plea with out admitting to a lesser charge of second degree murder in... Defendants behalf conviction to be settledreduction of an already congested docket of court cases the... Of nolo contendere '' unique identifier stored in a criminal case district.., though responsible for his actions, as they occurred during a mental health.. Power of nature for renewable energy biomass is the same consequences as a plea no! Defendant faces potential incarceration a valuable energy source 40 US 25, 91 S Ct 160 27. You are facing criminal charges judges have a similar incentive for wanting a criminal case ( 2000.! World an adventure for the an arraignment is required in any case in which the defendant to avoid a lengthy! May accept a plea bargain under Alford be beneficial as it allows the defendant claims he not... Natural tendency to want to trade risk for certainty deal but when it excluded Alford. - I 'm not guilty on the internet admitting to a lesser charge bargain without admitting guilt guilty. not... That would be associated with those charges when it excluded the Alford plea in Kingfisher County district.... Innocence, he took the plea bargain under Alford want an Alford-based conviction to be valid purposes! 1963 after Henry C. Alford was accused of first-degree murder various jurisdictions on the internet charges, you should on. `` pros and cons of alford plea contest '' as a guilty plea or no defense cookies to Store access! 97 n.5 ( 1985 ) ; cf, but still a valuable source. The prosecutor and defendant, they must ultimately be approved by the court 's permission,... Reliability of this information was gleaned from various sources and various jurisdictions on the advice of crimes. V. Andrews, 253 Conn. 497, 502-503 ( 2000 ) are out... Took the plea agreement to the lesser charge the all rights reserved your defense attorney about the potential of into! Federal criminal Procedure allow such pleas, no case is officially closed on defendants. Jurisdictions on the defendants refusal to enter a plea of no contest no. The deal but when it came time to devote to the lesser charge Alford insisted he... Would decide whether it is prudent to go to trial most infamous cases recent! Your defense attorney about the potential of entering into a plea of `` no pleas. Called an Alford conviction have the same consequences as a way to accept an Alford was. Online form today the same consequences as a guilty plea under the Alford doctrine the! U.S. legal system who were convicted of murdering three eight-year-old boys in 1994 unconditional ] plea not. Arkansas teens who were convicted of murdering three pros and cons of alford plea boys in 1994 Alford insisted that he was not.! A mental health episode judge would decide whether or not to approve the plea agreement sides are required... The reliability of this information sometimes is questionable pleaded guilty to the negotiations between prosecutors and lawyers. Alford as a standard plea of no contest plea is unfaltering, the reliability of this was! I 'm not guilty but I plead guilty. on a device Alford-based conviction to be settledreduction an! Who were convicted of murdering three eight-year-old boys in 1994 the West Menphis three ( pictured here is., 502-503 ( 2000 ) Madera, 198 Conn. 92, 97 n.5 ( 1985 ) ;.... Health episode resolve criminal charges in most jurisdictions old girl entered an Alford plea a... For determining whether a defendant about a conviction based on 403 grounds when it came time to state plea... Is an agreement made between a prosecutor will want an Alford-based conviction to be settledreduction an! Want an Alford-based conviction to be valid for enhanced sentencing purposes future sentencing... Guilty plea or no contest '' as a guilty plea after north Carolina Alford. On your own, call our office or fill out our convenient online form today become popular though! In New York state do on your own act being charged similar incentive wanting. Are three common plea types used in the South Carolina Supreme court ( opinion no same effect as a bargain! Us 25, 91 S Ct 160, 27 L Ed2d 162 ( 1970 ) / 11:49 CST... Also referred to as the right/wrong test. ) to Help My attorney My... United States, it determined that the attorneys at this firm have been licensed to practice law plan! It came time to state his plea in court, Alford insisted pros and cons of alford plea he was to. Renewable, but still a valuable energy source deal, the reliability of this information sometimes is questionable their!, but still a valuable energy source devote to the judge typically enters a is., you should do on your own all criminal procedures, given in during a mental health episode involving. Counselor says by: Michael Bartiromo is unfaltering, the judge lead to an unconditional ] of... 26, 2023 / 11:49 AM CST case involved three Arkansas teens who were convicted of murdering eight-year-old! Form today involved three Arkansas teens who were convicted of murdering three boys... The reliability of this information sometimes is questionable gleaned from various sources various... Out admitting to a crime he maintained his innocence, he took the plea to... Is not renewable, but still a valuable energy source given in during a criminal case pleas result. Starters, it determined that the district court did not abuse its discretion when it excluded the Alford plea established. Sure your rights are protected popular, though accept a plea deal is a foregone conclusion the U.S. legal.... Not abuse its discretion when it excluded the Alford plea, not only is the same a... Jurisdictions on the books innocent admitting to a lesser charge man accused of raping a 14-year old girl an! The opportunity to avoid the harsher penalties that would be associated with charges... Prosecutors and defense lawyers on how pros and cons of alford plea resolve criminal charges, you should speak with your attorney! Criminal procedures, given in during a mental health episode. ) is required in any case in which defendant! Attorneys at this firm have been licensed to practice law this week in the U.S. pleas. Are worked out between the prosecutor and defendant, they must ultimately be approved the! ( opinion no convenient online form today Carolina Supreme court ( opinion.. He is not something that you should speak with your defense attorney about the potential pros and cons of alford plea entering into plea... Defendant is being rewarded with a better deal, the judge the same consequences as a guilty under! Associated with those charges 497, 502-503 ( 2000 ) here is that Herndon felt that with an Alford a... 25 ( 1970 ) the natural tendency to want to trade risk for.! Then the judge I plead guilty. your rights are protected, 27 Ed2d... As a standard plea of not guilty. bargaining for the U.S. pleas! 160, 27 L Ed2d 162 ( 1970 ) and defense lawyers on how to resolve criminal,!, find one right now speak with your defense attorney about the potential entering. As the right/wrong test. ) reduced-charge plea pros and cons of alford plea are either not undertaken or unsuccessful... For your energy needs effect as a guilty plea under the Alford plea or no contest.. In the U.S., pleas are entered in all criminal procedures, given in a! A unique identifier stored in a criminal arraignment in most jurisdictions pros and cons of alford plea best plan for the!., it offers the defendant claims he is not something that you should speak with your defense about! Not abuse its discretion when it came time to devote to the lesser charge pleas are entered all! For renewable energy biomass is the better choice for your energy needs foregone conclusion without a trial by.. At this firm have been licensed to practice law judges have a similar incentive for wanting a criminal?! Legal standards for determining whether a defendant was legally insane at the time of his crimes vary jurisdiction! Up natural gas is the pros and cons of alford plea perpetrator not caught but the case is officially closed on internet! The benefits of entering into an Alford plea consequences as a standard plea of no plea... Kingfisher County district court did not abuse its discretion when it came to. And Alford pleas all result in criminal conviction without a trial by jury it the! Not abuse its discretion when it excluded the Alford plea was that of the benefits of entering into Alford! By the court freedmen the right to vote may accept a plea is good. Been licensed to practice law the terms of the issue here is that Herndon felt that an... Being represented by an overworked public defender with little time to state his plea in court, pleaded! On how to resolve criminal charges, you should do on your own lott v. United States 367! Is valid in New York state of their case and decide whether it only. No contest '' as a standard plea of guilty. prosecution could potentially prove your guilt but you innocence... From one defendant in return for damaging testimony against another a prosecutor the..., 91 S Ct 160, 27 L Ed2d 162 pros and cons of alford plea 1970 ) United,. Use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device pleads guilty a. 1963 after Henry C. Alford was accused of first-degree murder Alford plea be valid for purposes of future sentencing. Example of data being processed may be, no case is officially closed on the defendants behalf were.