A "plea" generally refers to a request or an appeal, often made in a formal context. In the legal system, it specifically denotes a formal statement made by a defendant in response to criminal charges. This can include:
- Guilty Plea: An admission of guilt for the charges brought against the individual.
- Not Guilty Plea: A denial of the charges, indicating that the defendant does not accept the accusations.
- No Contest Plea (Nolo Contendere): A plea where the defendant neither admits nor disputes the charge, allowing the court to proceed with sentencing without an admission of guilt.
Outside of legal contexts, "plea" can also refer to a heartfelt request or appeal for help or support in various situations.