plead
v.v. to make an emotional request for something you really need. In a court of law, it means to officially state if you are guilty or not guilty.
v. to make an earnest or urgent entreaty; in a legal context, to enter a formal statement of guilt or innocence in response to a charge.
The prisoner decided to plead guilty to the crime.
The family had to plead with the landlord for more time to pay their monthly rent.
Despite the overwhelming evidence presented by the prosecution, the defendant chose to plead not guilty, forcing the case to proceed to a full jury trial.
From Middle English pleden, plaiden, from Old French plaider (“to plead, offer a plea”), from plait, from Medieval Latin placitum (“a decree, sentence, suit, plea, etc.", in Classical Latin, "an opinion, determination, prescription, order; literally, that which is pleasing, pleasure”), neuter of placitus, past participle of placeō (“to please”). Cognate with Spanish pleitear (“to litigate, take to court”).
Often takes the preposition 'with' when making a request to a person, or 'for' when requesting a thing. In legal contexts, it is typically followed by an adjective like 'guilty' or 'innocent'.
he pleaded with his innocencehe pleaded his innocenceWhen stating a legal position or excuse, the verb is transitive and does not take 'with'; 'with' is only for the person being asked.