The use of PLEAD

Question

HiIt has ALWAYS been difficult for me to understand the use of PLEAD in a sentence like:He pleaded innocent.Please tell me if the court declared him innocent or he insisted in the court that he was innocent.Thanks,Tom

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi Tom,

The latter.

Where I live, the question the judge asks at the start of the trial is 'How do you plead, guilty or not guilty?'

Clive

Mr. Tom · Answer

Thanks, Clive!

But who does the dudge ask this question? The defendant? If yes, then very strange. Would the defendant ever say:

I plead guilty to murder.

Please shed some more light on this, Clive.

Thanks for your time and effort!

Tom

Clive · Answer

Hi,

But who does the judge ask this question? The defendant? Yes. If yes, then very strange. Would the defendant ever say:

I plead guilty to murder.

Please shed some more light on this

Here are a few reasons for a guilty plea.

The defendant knows the evidence against him is overwhelming, and thinks he may get a more lenient sentence if he shows contrition and/or if he saves the time of the court.

He genuinely feels remorse.

He is proud of his action, or wishes to stand on principle.

eg Yes, I killed this abortion doctor and *** is proud of my actions.

eg Yes, I committed this crime because this law is immoral.

Here's a very common scenario.

A person is charged wih a crime, eg second-degree murder.

The prosecution knows that the evidence has weaknesses, so they may win or they may not.

The defendant offers to plead guilty if the charge is reduced to a less serious one, eg manslaughter. This process is called 'plea-bargaining'.

Clive

The use of PLEAD

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