plead out
C1 formal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To make a deal with the prosecutor and admit to a crime (or a lesser crime) instead of having a full trial in court.
Meanings
1 C1 formal
(Legal, US informal) To resolve a criminal case by accepting a plea bargain instead of going to trial.
"Facing overwhelming evidence, the defendant decided to plead out."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Primarily American legal slang used by lawyers and journalists. 'The defendant pleaded out' means they accepted a plea deal.
Commonly used with
defendant case charges deal attorney prosecutor
Forms
Base
plead out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pleads out
he/she/it
Past simple
pleaded out
yesterday
Past participle
pleaded out
have + pp
-ing form
pleading out
continuous
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