plead innocent vs plead innocence

Both "plead innocent" and "plead innocence" are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. "Plead innocent" is commonly used when someone is denying guilt in a legal setting, while "plead innocence" is less common and is used more in literary or formal contexts.

Last updated: April 09, 2024 • 820 views

plead innocent

This phrase is correct and commonly used in legal contexts when someone is denying guilt.

This phrase is used when someone is declaring their innocence in a legal setting, such as a court of law.

Examples:

The defendant decided to plead innocent to all charges.
She was advised to plead innocent until proven guilty.
He chose to plead innocent and go to trial.
The lawyer instructed his client to plead innocent.
The suspect continued to plead innocent despite the evidence.

Show examples from the web [+]

Bill had intended to plead innocent and insist on a trial.
I plead innocent to all charges!
You plead innocent at trial, but you were convicted and sentenced to 12 years, even though your son's body was never found.
Does the accus ed plead innocent or guilty?
Plead innocent and you're done for.
Why'd you plead innocent?
I plead innocent to all charges!
I plead completely innocent, but totally intrigued.
HOW DO YOU PLEAD? WE'RE INNOCENT.
Mr Ezz pleads innocent.
If he's innocent, why plead?
But we're here to plead for the life of Roger Byam because we believe him innocent.
To stand like I am right now in front of a jury of 12 good people... to plead the case of an innocent man who's been unjustly accused.
Who pleads guilty to two murders and innocent to two others?
No, but it is a pertinent question... if he's innocent, why did he plead guilty?
35 Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger will turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.

Alternatives:

plead not guilty
assert innocence
declare innocence
maintain innocence
proclaim innocence

plead innocence

This phrase is also correct, but it is less commonly used and is more suitable for literary or formal contexts.

This phrase is used to express the act of declaring one's innocence, often in a more formal or literary manner.

Examples:

The protagonist in the novel continued to plead innocence throughout the trial.
She eloquently pleaded innocence in her final statement.
The accused artist pleaded innocence in a heartfelt letter.
The historical figure's followers still plead his innocence to this day.
The poet's verses were filled with pleas of innocence.

Show examples from the web [+]

They attempt to push the boundaries of what is acceptable further and further, then plead innocence when their words inspire violent actions from their supporters.
This type of exploitation occurs because their employers - i.e. the families for whom domestic work is performed - are able to plead innocence, due to the lack of regulation.
whereas Roxana Saberi's lawyer has filed an appeal against her conviction as his defendant pleads innocence on all charges,
When Chávez confronts Gómez with his hypothesis, Gómez pleads innocence, and Chávez's paranoia reaches an extreme when he draws his gun on two policemen.
The doomed ones plead still His innocence so far.
Why would they let him come and plead his innocence to the club?
Luck to a certain extent though, because when she wakes up, you drive in the company of Jadis, who wants him dead perhaps almost as much as Rick, will he plead "innocence"?
He will plead my innocence.
Daphne, bewildered, pleads with her father Peneus to prove her innocence; he responds by transforming her into a laurel tree.
Your Majesty, I'm here to plead for a stay of execution until such time as I can prove his innocence.
To reveal the defendant's testimony immediately after arrest, as well as proving the defendant's innocence in refusing to plead guilty despite the fact that he was recommended to offer a plea bargain.

Alternatives:

plead innocent
assert innocence
declare innocence
maintain innocence
proclaim innocence

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