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LSDefine

Simple English definitions for legal terms

plea of pregnancy

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A quick definition of plea of pregnancy:

A plea of pregnancy is when a woman who has been found guilty of a serious crime claims that she is pregnant in order to delay her punishment. In the past, a special jury of women would examine the woman to determine if she was truly pregnant. If she was, her punishment would be postponed until after the baby was born. This practice is no longer used, but it is still against the law to execute a pregnant woman.

A more thorough explanation:

Definition: A plea made by a woman who has been convicted of a serious crime, asking for her execution to be postponed until after she gives birth.

In the past, women who were sentenced to death or transportation (being sent to a penal colony) could plead their belly, which meant they claimed to be pregnant in order to avoid punishment. However, this plea was often met with suspicion, and a special jury of women (called matrons) would be appointed to examine the defendant and determine if she was truly pregnant or not.

If the woman was found to be "quick with child" (meaning she was far enough along in her pregnancy), her execution or transportation would be postponed until after she gave birth. However, if she was found to be lying about her pregnancy, she would still be punished.

Today, the plea of pregnancy is no longer used, but the law still prohibits the execution of pregnant women.

One famous example of the plea of pregnancy was made by Mary Surratt, who was convicted of conspiring to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln. She claimed to be pregnant in order to avoid being hanged, but the jury of matrons declared that she was not actually pregnant. She was executed anyway.

plea not pure | plea of privilege

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I'm sober lol
Dkk
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Anyone else get the google notification that your LSD password has been compromised lol. LSD got hacked.
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what.jpg @Dkk
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nope dk
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Calvinamala Harris
jackfrost11770
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Dkk
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dk do u ever eat at bk
Dkk
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@chickenburgahfart: I would do that in the Army if really desperate for food or if I had to work through lunch. One of the few fast food places I go to.
bk so slept on
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I will take In N Out everyday over it when I can though.
texaslawhopefully
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In N Out is not only the best fast food place, but the prices too are fantastic
Dkk
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Indeed, indeed.
BulbasaurNoLikeCardio
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@texaslawhopefully: best prices and only fast food that doesn't make me sick
matt gaetz ethics report released
paid for sex with a junior in high school
guarantee people still defend him
BulbasaurNoLikeCardio
9:51
I only read headlines and skimmed a random article of it since I am the only one at work this week. Seems like he is Republican Hunter Biden but not at the paying rent with poop paintings stage
ImpartialLion
9:55
Sent in my transcript at 6 am today and it’s processing. Think it will be processed before lsac closes tmrw?
BulbasaurNoLikeCardio
9:58
I would say it is a toss up, for how much LSAC charges us for everything they are extremely efficient in processing and sending stuff out BUT with a 30% uptake in applicants and the holidays it may be significantly slower unless it is ran through and processed by a computer program. Even if it takes them longer to process it, not like there is anyone at a school to request and review it after LSAC does their thing
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BulbasaurNoLikeCardio
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Hope schools are chill and just send As leaving the Rs for next month lol
soap
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Fingers crossed for good luck today
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@soap: really hoping to get that UTK call today
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