Legal Definitions - anomalous plea

Anomalous plea refers to a type of plea that does not fit into the usual categories of pleas in a legal case. It is a plea that is unusual or unexpected.

• A defendant in a criminal case may enter an anomalous plea of "nolo contendere," which means they do not admit guilt but will not contest the charges.
• In a civil case, a defendant may enter an anomalous plea of "demurrer," which means they do not dispute the facts but argue that the plaintiff's claim is legally insufficient.

These examples illustrate how an anomalous plea is a unique type of plea that does not fit into the typical categories of guilty or not guilty. It allows the defendant to make a different type of statement or argument in their defense.