Plead vs. Plea — What's the Difference?

To appeal earnestly; beg

In legal terms, a plea is simply an answer to a claim made by someone in a criminal case under common law using the adversarial system. Colloquially, a plea has come to mean the assertion by a defendant at arraignment, or otherwise in response to a criminal charge, whether that person pleaded or pled guilty, not guilty, nolo contendere (a.k.a.

To offer reasons for or against something; argue earnestly

A request made in an urgent and emotional manner

To provide an argument or appeal

A formal statement by or on behalf of a defendant or prisoner, stating guilt or innocence in response to a charge, offering an allegation of fact, or claiming that a point of law should apply

(Law) To respond to a criminal charge

An earnest request; an appeal

To assert as defense, vindication, or excuse; claim as a plea

An excuse; a pretext

To specify (a cause of action or defense)

The defendant's answer to a formal criminal charge

To set forth in a pleading

A defendant's answer in a civil action.

To present (an argument or a plea), especially in a legal case.

A special answer in an equity action, setting forth in lieu of a detailed response a basis for dismissing, delaying, or barring the suit.

(intransitive) To beg, beseech, or implore, especially emotionally.

A legal proceeding.

(transitive) To offer by way of excuse.

An appeal, petition, urgent prayer or entreaty.

(transitive) To discuss by arguments.

An excuse; an apology.

To argue in support of a claim, or in defense against the claim of another; to urge reasons for or against a thing; to attempt to persuade one by argument or supplication; to speak by way of persuasion; as, to plead for the life of a criminal; to plead with a judge or with a father.

That which is alleged or pleaded, in defense or in justification.

To present an answer, by allegation of fact, to the declaration of a plaintiff; to deny the plaintiff's declaration and demand, or to allege facts which show that ought not to recover in the suit; in a less strict sense, to make an allegation of fact in a cause; to carry on the allegations of the respective parties in a cause; to carry on a suit or plea.

(legal) That which is alleged by a party in support of his cause.

To contend; to struggle.

(legal) An allegation of fact in a cause, as distinguished from a demurrer.

To discuss, defend, and attempt to maintain by arguments or reasons presented to a tribunal or person having uthority to determine; to argue at the bar; as, to plead a cause before a court or jury.

(legal) The defendant’s answer to the plaintiff’s declaration and demand.

To allege or cite in a legal plea or defense, or for repelling a demand in law; to answer to an indictment; as, to plead usury; to plead statute of limitations; to plead not guilty.

(legal) A cause in court; a lawsuit; as, the Court of Common Pleas.

To allege or adduce in proof, support, or vendication; to offer in excuse; as, the law of nations may be pleaded in favor of the rights of ambassadors.

To plead; to argue.

Appeal or request earnestly;

That which is alleged by a party in support of his cause; in a stricter sense, an allegation of fact in a cause, as distinguished from a demurrer; in a still more limited sense, and in modern practice, the defendant's answer to the plaintiff's declaration and demand. That which the plaintiff alleges in his declaration is answered and repelled or justified by the defendant's plea. In chancery practice, a plea is a special answer showing or relying upon one or more things as a cause why the suit should be either dismissed, delayed, or barred. In criminal practice, the plea is the defendant's formal answer to the indictment or information presented against him.

Offer as an excuse or plea;

A cause in court; a lawsuit; as, the Court of Common Pleas. See under Common.

Enter a plea, as in courts of law;

That which is alleged or pleaded, in defense or in justification; an excuse; an apology.

Make an allegation in an action or other legal proceeding, especially answer the previous pleading of the other party by denying facts therein stated or by alleging new facts

An urgent prayer or entreaty.

A humble request for help from someone in authority

(law) a defendant's answer by a factual matter (as distinguished from a demurrer)

An answer indicating why a suit should be dismissed