In a court of law, what is a mercy plea?

In strict terms, a "plea" in a criminal trial relates to the issue of guilt or innocence. This is the first stage of a criminal trial. The second stage, if a person is found guilty, is to decide the sentence. That's where the questions of "mercy" might be put to the judge, but it wouldn't be called that. read more

Mercy plea relates to quantum of sentence. If someone do crime under the coercion or forced circumstances, he can took the mercy plea. But it's not a absolute rule rather discretionary with the court. read more

Best Answer: A mercy plea is admitting guilt but usually with extenuating circumstances. You are telling the court "Yes, I did it but something happened that caused this action". read more

The plea is meant to mitigate the problem that an innocent defendant might plead guilty to avoid a harsher sentence, because he knows his chances of winning the case are slim. In the case for which the plea is named, a defendant plead guilty to avoid the death sentence, which the judge could only give had the defendant plead innocent. read more