Why must judges ask defendants questions before accepting a guilty plea?

Judges are required to question defendants before accepting a guilty plea to ensure that the plea is entered into voluntarily.1

This procedural requirement was solidified by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1969 case Boykin v. Alabama. The Court reversed a conviction because the trial judge had failed to verify that the defendant’s guilty plea was made of their own free will.1

While judges generally approve plea bargains, they act as a safeguard against potential abuses of the system. Specifically, judges may refuse to accept a plea if they believe the defendant is legally innocent, if they suspect the defendant has been coerced into pleading guilty, or if the terms of the bargain are deemed excessively harsh or lenient. By querying defendants in court, judges fulfill their responsibility to protect the integrity of the judicial process and ensure that the defendant's rights are upheld.21