ENTERED PLEA Meaning and
Definition
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"Entered plea" is a legal term referring to the formal response given by a defendant in a court of law after being charged with a crime. When a defendant stands before a judge, they are typically asked to state their plea, which can be either guilty, not guilty, or in certain cases, no contest (also known as nolo contendere). This simple act of responding is commonly referred to as "entering a plea."
The entered plea is significant in criminal proceedings because it sets the stage for the subsequent legal process. A plea of guilty signifies that the defendant accepts responsibility for the alleged offense and admits to committing the crime. By entering this plea, the defendant is essentially waiving their right to a trial and acknowledging the consequences associated with their admission.
On the other hand, a plea of not guilty asserts the defendant's claim of innocence and denies any wrongdoing. This plea allows the defendant to maintain their innocence and forces the prosecution to present evidence and prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt during a trial.
Lastly, a plea of no contest is less common but is essentially an admission of guilt without explicitly stating one. In this case, the defendant neither admits nor denies committing the offense but agrees to accept the punishment as if they were guilty. This plea is often used when a defendant wishes to avoid admission of guilt for civil liability purposes.
Overall, the entered plea serves as a fundamental step within the criminal justice system, providing a clear indication of the defendant's stance regarding their alleged criminal conduct.
Common Misspellings for ENTERED PLEA
- ented plea
- enterd plea
- wntered plea
- sntered plea
- dntered plea
- rntered plea
- 4ntered plea
- 3ntered plea
- ebtered plea
- emtered plea
- ejtered plea
- ehtered plea
- enrered plea
- enfered plea
- engered plea
- enyered plea
- en6ered plea
- en5ered plea
- entwred plea
- entsred plea
Etymology of ENTERED PLEA
The term "entered plea" does not have a specific etymology of its own. However, to better understand its meaning, we can examine the etymology of the individual words.
1. Entered: The word "entered" is derived from the Old French word "entrer", meaning "to enter". It ultimately originates from the Latin word "intrare", which also means "to enter". It implies the act of gaining access or becoming a part of something.
2. Plea: The word "plea" comes from the Anglo-French word "pleder" and the Old French word "pleit", both of which mean "lawsuit" or "legal action". It has roots in the Latin word "placitum", which means "a decision" or "a decree". In a legal context, a plea refers to a defendant's response to a criminal charge, whether it is a declaration of guilt or innocence.
