What is the legal term for a defendant who pleads guilty to a statute that protects the plaintiff?

The correct answer, negligence per se, refers to a legal doctrine that establishes a defendant's liability for violating a law or statute designed to protect a certain group of people or the public. In this context, if a defendant pleads guilty to a statute that directly protects the plaintiff, it implies that the defendant's actions have reached a level of negligence that is considered unlawful, thereby fulfilling one of the conditions necessary for the plaintiff to prove their case.

By pleading guilty to a statute, the defendant effectively admits to the violation of that law, which typically serves to establish the standard of conduct expected in similar situations. This makes it easier for the plaintiff to prove their damages or injury, as the defendant's violation of the statute is considered conclusive evidence of negligence in that context.

The other options encompass different concepts related to negligence and tort law but do not apply in the same way. Comparative negligence refers to a system for assessing the relative fault of the parties involved, while contributory negligence acts as a complete defense in some jurisdictions when the plaintiff is found to be at fault. An intentional tort, on the other hand, deals with actions taken with the intent to cause harm, which does not apply in a scenario involving a guilty plea to a statute designed to