plea
PLEE
/pliː/
A formal statement by or on behalf of a defendant or prisoner, stating guilt or innocence in response to a charge.
In a legal sense, it is a specific choice (guilty, not guilty, or no contest). In a general sense, it is an emotional, urgent request.
The story behind the word. The word originally referred to a decree or a decision made by a court that was 'pleasing' (placitum) to the law. It eventually came to mean the defendant's own statement in that court.
Word relationships
- appeal: An appeal is a request for a higher court to review a case; a plea is the initial statement of guilt or innocence.
- petition: A petition is a formal written request, often signed by many people.
Commonly confused with
- plead: Plea is the noun; plead is the verb.
Word family
- plead (verb): To make an emotional appeal; to enter a formal plea in court.
Collocations
- enter a plea
- plea bargain
- desperate plea
Example sentences
- "The defendant entered a plea of not guilty to all charges." Legal System
- "The refugees made a desperate plea for food and medical supplies." Humanitarian Aid
Memory hook
Plea: Think of 'Please.' A plea is often a way of saying 'Please hear my side' or 'Please show mercy.' Formal answer to a charge.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'plead' (the verb). A plea is the thing you make; to plead is the action.
Fun facts
- A 'plea bargain' is an agreement where the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge to avoid a harsher sentence.
Also appears in
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