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Simple English definitions for legal terms

plead (one's) belly

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A quick definition of plead (one's) belly:

Term: PLEAD (ONE'S) BELLY

Definition: In the past, when a woman was accused of a crime that could result in the death penalty or being sent away, she could say she was pregnant to avoid punishment. However, the court would appoint a group of women to check if she was really pregnant. If she was, she would not be punished until after the baby was born. If she was not, she would be punished as usual. This is no longer used, but it is still not allowed to punish a pregnant woman.

A more thorough explanation:

Definition: Plead (one's) belly is a historical slang term used to describe a female defendant's claim of pregnancy as a defense to avoid a court's sentence of capital punishment or transportation.

In the past, if a woman was accused of a crime that carried the death penalty or transportation, she could plead her belly to avoid punishment. This meant that she claimed to be pregnant, and a jury of matrons (married mothers) would be appointed to examine her claim. If the woman was found to be "quick with child" (in an advanced state of pregnancy), she would be granted a reprieve until after the child's birth or miscarriage.

For example, if a woman was accused of theft and faced the death penalty, she could plead her belly to avoid punishment. If the jury of matrons found her to be pregnant, she would be granted a reprieve until after the child's birth.

However, if the woman was found to be lying about her pregnancy, she would be punished severely. The court would keep track of her to see if the delay was justified or if she should be made to suffer the sentence at the next session.

Although the plea and the special jury are no longer in use, the prohibition against executing a pregnant woman persists in modern law.

For example, in the United States, it is illegal to execute a pregnant woman under 18 USCA § 3596(b).

pleading the baby act | plead over

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Dkk
18:41
@tgm Yeah sounds good, say that if they ask
18:47
hey yall
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im premed idk why im here
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we’re like cool and sexy and fun I get it
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true i love ur user
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thank you my little crow friend
Dkk
18:50
Med law easy done
medicine is a scam
join the ethically ambiguous legal field instead
Dkk
18:57
I want to meet an attorney that defends clients who run into flat earth problems. I want an attorney that knows and believes in flat earth theory.
19:05
i want a flat earther for president. i want a guy who posts on 4chan for president. i want someone who mogs for president.
Dkk
19:18
Exactly. My version of that awful poem.
Dkk
19:19
I can accept a president with maybe one or two of the poems traits hut good God, all of them??? No ty.
windyMagician
19:20
president who respects sex is crazy
windyMagician
19:20
we had bill clinton already
Dkk
19:21
Bill Clinton, first and last black president
windyMagician
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19:23
it doesn't hurt its just tingly
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It needs more alcohol. You tingle when your nerves need watering.
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try stretching it maybe to see what's up
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19:27
stretches make me think it's just soreness
windyMagician
19:27
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
CynicalOops
21:03
You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?
jackfrost11770
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nope dk
CynicalOops
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Calvinamala Harris
jackfrost11770
23:16
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