Legal Definitions - negative plea

A negative plea is a formal response made by a defendant in a legal case, whether civil or criminal, where they deny the claims or allegations brought against them by the opposing party (the plaintiff or the prosecution). By entering a negative plea, the defendant asserts that the facts alleged are untrue or that they are not legally responsible for the alleged actions, thereby placing the burden on the opposing party to prove their case. The most common form of a negative plea in criminal cases is a "not guilty" plea.

Here are some examples illustrating a negative plea:

• Civil Case - Contract Dispute: A small business is sued by a former client who claims the business failed to deliver a website redesign project on time and according to the agreed-upon specifications. In response, the business files a legal document stating that the project *was* completed on schedule and met all contractual requirements, and that any delays or issues were due to the client's failure to provide necessary content. This formal denial of the client's allegations is a negative plea, requiring the client to present evidence to prove their claims of breach of contract.

• Criminal Case - Assault: An individual is arrested and charged with assault after an altercation. When appearing in court, the individual formally states, "Not guilty." This declaration is a negative plea, signifying that they deny committing the assault and challenge the prosecution to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

• Civil Case - Property Damage: A homeowner sues a landscaping company, alleging that the company's negligence during a tree removal service caused significant damage to their fence. The landscaping company responds by filing a document asserting that they followed all safety protocols, that the fence was already in disrepair, and that any damage was not a result of their actions. This denial of negligence and causation constitutes a negative plea, obligating the homeowner to provide evidence demonstrating the landscaping company's fault.