plural of plea in abatement

plural of declinatory plea

(US, law) An agreement in which a defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge instead of not guilty to a greater one

(US, law) Alternative form of plea bargain (“an agreement between a defendant and the prosecution in which the defendant agrees to a plea such as guilty or nolo contendere to a lesser charge rather than contesting a greater charge”).

(US, law) To make an agreement in which a defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge instead of not guilty to a greater one.

(Britain law) A legal action against a criminal.

(law) Plea to the effect that from some formal defect (e.g. misnomer, want of jurisdiction) the proceedings should be abated.

(US, California, law) A plea of nolo contendere.

(US, law) A plea in criminal court in which the defendant does not admit guilt, but concedes that the state has sufficient evidence to obtain a conviction.

(UK, law, obsolete) The plea of sanctuary or of benefit of clergy, before trial or conviction.