How did the defendant plead in his case relating to wildlife crime ?
White wrote that courts may accept whatever plea a defendant chooses to enter , as long as the defendant is competently represented by counsel ; the plea is intelligently chosen ; and “ the record before the judge contains strong evidence of actual guilt . ” Faced with “ grim alternatives , ” the defendant 's best choice of action may be to plead guilty to the crime , White wrote , and the courts must accept the defendant 's choice made in his own interests .