plead not guilty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plead not guilty" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in legal contexts, particularly when referring to a defendant's response to charges in court. Example: The defendant decided to plead not guilty to the charges against him. Alternative expressions include "enter a plea of not guilty" and "declare not guilty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I definitely plead not guilty".

The New York Times

I plead not guilty".

The Guardian - Opinion

The accused plead not guilty.

The Guardian

All five plead not guilty.

The Guardian

"They will plead not guilty.

The Guardian

Says he will plead not guilty.

The New York Times

"I plead not guilty," Ms. Plavsic replied.

The New York Times

Splitters plead not guilty with an explanation.

The New York Times - Magazine

He plans to plead not guilty.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

He pleaded not guilty.

Cornell University

She pleaded not guilty.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plead not guilty" when formally responding to charges in a legal setting. It's the standard phrase for this purpose.

Common error

Don't use "plead not guilty" interchangeably with general expressions of innocence. This phrase has a specific legal meaning and context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plead not guilty" functions as a formal declaration within the legal system. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's the standard response for a defendant denying accusations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "plead not guilty" is a standard legal declaration, used to formally deny accusations in court. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and very common, especially in news reports about legal proceedings. Related phrases include "enter a not guilty plea" and "deny the charges". Using "plead not guilty" correctly involves recognizing its specific legal context and avoiding confusion with general expressions of innocence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enter a not guilty plea

Uses a more formal and structured phrasing.

declare innocence

Focuses on the assertion of innocence rather than the legal procedure.

claim to be innocent

A simple statement of innocence.

maintain innocence

Emphasizes a continuous claim of being not guilty.

deny the charges

Highlights the act of refuting accusations.

affirm non-culpability

A formal way of stating lack of guilt.

profess innocence

Implies a strong and vocal declaration of innocence.

reject the allegations

Directly opposes the claims made against the accused.

dispute the accusations

Challenges the validity of the accusations.

assert non-involvement

Broadly states a lack of participation in the alleged crime.

FAQs

How is "plead not guilty" used in a sentence?

The phrase "plead not guilty" is used when a defendant formally denies the charges against them in court. For example, "The defendant chose to "plead not guilty" to all charges."

What are some alternatives to "plead not guilty"?

Alternatives include "enter a not guilty plea", "deny the charges", or "maintain innocence". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What does it mean to "plead not guilty"?

To "plead not guilty" means to formally state in court that you are denying the charges against you and assert that you are not guilty of the alleged crime.

Is it better to "plead not guilty" or remain silent?

The decision to "plead not guilty" or remain silent depends on legal advice and the specific circumstances of the case. Remaining silent might be used to avoid self-incrimination, but it is not a plea.