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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).