pleads

Pleads is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb plead. To plead means to present reasons or arguments earnestly, to appeal for something, or to advocate on someone’s behalf. In everyday use, people may plead with another to change their mind or plead for mercy. In legal contexts, plead refers to making a formal statement before a court concerning charges, guilt, or innocence. Common legal constructions include plead guilty, plead not guilty, plead a case in court, and plead for leniency. The phrase plead the Fifth refers to invoking a constitutional protection against self-incrimination.

Past tense and variations: English allows both plead and pleaded as past forms, with pled also widely used in American English. In many writing styles, pleaded is considered the more formal past tense, while pled is common in legal documents and modern usage. The form you choose can depend on regional style guides or the formality of the context. Non-legal uses of plead include pleading for help, pleading with someone to reconsider, or pleading with someone to grant permission.

In summary, pleads serves as the present-tense form for he/she/it in the verb plead, while the broader family of plead covers both formal court procedures and general appeals or requests. The term is closely tied to the noun plea, which denotes a formal statement of innocence, guilt, or a request made in court or in private.