Page 72 - PowerE-L04-E

Lesson 18

Plea

A plea simply means an “excuse”. It is the defendant’s answer to the

plaintiff’s declaration. It is the statement of one being suspended. Its concept
is one of the major differences between criminal procedure under common

law and procedure under the civil law system. Under common law, a plea of
guilty by the defendant waives jury trial of the charged offenses and the

defendant may be sentenced immediately.

Comprehension

1. Who is responsible for complying a plea?

2. When is plea being provided?

Questions

1. Are all defendants given a chance to have this excuse? Why?

2. When can a defendant be sentenced immediately?

3. What is the concept of this idea?

Vocabulary & Expressions

plaintiff - The one who sues in a court.
declaration - A solemn statement.
defendant - in legal circles often accused in a criminal case.
statement - a single declaration or remark.
excuse - try to remove blame from.

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