a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc

the particular events to be dealt with in a criminal trial; advises the defendant and the court of the facts the defendant will be required to meet

the collection of rules imposed by authority

enter a plea, as in courts of law

make an allegation in an action or other legal proceeding, especially answer the previous pleading of the other party by denying facts therein stated or by alleging new facts

any defensive pleading that affirms facts rather than merely denying the facts alleged by the plaintiff

a pleading that alleges facts so separate that it is difficult to determine which facts the person intends to rely on

the principal pleading by the defendant in response to plaintiff's complaint; in criminal law it consists of the defendant's plea of `guilty' or `not guilty' (or nolo contendere); in civil law it must contain denials of all allegations in the plaintiff's complaint that the defendant hopes to controvert and it can contain affirmative defenses or counterclaims

(criminal law) a pleading describing some wrong or offense

(civil law) the first pleading of the plaintiff setting out the facts on which the claim for relief is based

the particular events to be dealt with in a criminal trial; advises the defendant and the court of the facts the defendant will be required to meet

the collection of rules imposed by authority