A so-called ‘Alford Plea’ is offered when a defendant acknowledges a trial would likely result in a guilty verdict, even while he insists he is not culpable.

Hunter Biden sought to enter a plea Thursday to avoid trial just as jury selection was set to begin his federal tax case, surprising prosecutors who urged the judge to reject the unusual plea that would allow the president's son to maintain his innocence.

Just as jury selection was set to begin in Hunter Biden's tax evasion trial in downtown Los Angeles, an attorney for the president's son indicated Thursday that Biden is prepared to plead guilty in the case.