Petition vs. Plea: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Published on November 1, 2023
A petition is a formal written request submitted to an authority, often signed by many people, asking for a specific action or change. A plea is a request made in an urgent or emotional manner, often in a legal context, for some form of relief or favor.
Key Differences
A petition and a plea, while both forms of requests, vary in their format, context, and often in the emotional tone attached to them. A petition is typically a formal, written request presented to an authority, often supported by signatures or endorsements from multiple people. A plea, on the other hand, is more personal and may be emotional or urgent, commonly seen in legal contexts where one party requests something specific from the court or another authority.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
In terms of grammatical roles, both "petition" and "plea" primarily function as nouns but can also be used as verbs. For example, you might "petition the court" or "enter a plea." However, the verb form of "petition" is more commonly used than the verb form of "plea," which often appears in its noun form, especially when used in a legal setting like "entering a plea of not guilty."
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
The contexts where the words are most frequently used also set them apart. A petition is generally associated with civil or social activism, politics, or governance. It often aims for collective action or policy change. A plea is more often linked to legal or judicial proceedings and may also appear in personal, urgent appeals for help or mercy.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
To summarize, a petition is usually a formal, collective, and written request for a specific change, often submitted to a governing body. A plea is generally an emotional or urgent appeal made by an individual, commonly in a legal context, for some form of relief or favor.
Janet White
Nov 01, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Petition and Plea Definitions
Petition
A formal written request to an authority.
The petition for cleaner parks gathered 1,000 signatures.
Sara Rehman
Sep 19, 2023
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Plea
A formal statement in a legal case.
The attorney submitted a plea for bail.
Harlon Moss
Sep 19, 2023
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Petition
An online request for social or policy change.
The online petition against deforestation went viral.
Janet White
Sep 19, 2023
Petition
A solemn supplication or request, especially to a superior authority; an entreaty.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Plea
An excuse; a pretext
"[The] colonel ... hid first behind a stump and then worked his way to the rear on the plea of a sore back" (William Marvel).
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Petition
A formal written document requesting a right or benefit from a person or group in authority.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Plea
The defendant's answer to a formal criminal charge
Entered a plea of not guilty.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Petition
A formal written application seeking a court's intervention and action on a matter
A petition for review of a previous court's decision.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Petition
A pleading initiating a legal case in some civil courts
A bankruptcy petition.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Plea
A special answer in an equity action, setting forth in lieu of a detailed response a basis for dismissing, delaying, or barring the suit.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Plea
An appeal, petition, urgent prayer or entreaty.
A plea for mercy
Make a plea
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Petition
To ask for by petition; request formally
Petitioned that the sentence be reduced.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Petition
A formal, written request made to an official person or organized body, often containing many signatures.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Petition
A compilation of signatures built in order to exert moral authority in support of a specific cause.
We're looking to get 10,000 people to sign the petition to have the bird colony given legal protection.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Plea
(legal) An allegation of fact in a cause, as distinguished from a demurrer.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Plea
(legal) The defendant’s answer to the plaintiff’s declaration and demand.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Petition
(transitive) To make a request to, commonly in written form.
The villagers petitioned the council to demolish the dangerous building.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Petition
A prayer; a supplication; an imploration; an entreaty; especially, a request of a solemn or formal kind; a prayer to the Supreme Being, or to a person of superior power, rank, or authority; also, a single clause in such a prayer.
A house of prayer and petition for thy people.
This last petition heard of all her prayer.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Plea
That which is alleged by a party in support of his cause; in a stricter sense, an allegation of fact in a cause, as distinguished from a demurrer; in a still more limited sense, and in modern practice, the defendant's answer to the plaintiff's declaration and demand. That which the plaintiff alleges in his declaration is answered and repelled or justified by the defendant's plea. In chancery practice, a plea is a special answer showing or relying upon one or more things as a cause why the suit should be either dismissed, delayed, or barred. In criminal practice, the plea is the defendant's formal answer to the indictment or information presented against him.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Petition
A formal written request addressed to an official person, or to an organized body, having power to grant it; specifically (Law), a supplication to government, in either of its branches, for the granting of a particular grace or right; - in distinction from a memorial, which calls certain facts to mind; also, the written document.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Plea
A cause in court; a lawsuit; as, the Court of Common Pleas. See under Common.
The Supreme Judicial Court shall have cognizance of pleas real, personal, and mixed.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Petition
To make a prayer or request to; to ask from; to solicit; to entreat; especially, to make a formal written supplication, or application to, as to any branch of the government; as, to petition the court; to petition the governor.
You have . . . petitioned all the gods for my prosperity.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Plea
That which is alleged or pleaded, in defense or in justification; an excuse; an apology.
No plea must serve; 't is cruelty to spare.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Petition
A formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Plea
(law) a defendant's answer by a factual matter (as distinguished from a demurrer)
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Petition
Write a petition for something to somebody; request formally and in writing
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Petition
An application for a specific purpose.
He submitted a petition for a building permit.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
FAQs
How do Petition and Plea differ?
A petition is formal and often collective, while a plea is usually urgent and individual.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
Is a Petition always written?
Petitions are usually written but can sometimes be presented digitally.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
Can Plea be a verb?
Plea is less commonly used as a verb; the verb form is "to plead."
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
What is a Petition?
A petition is a formal written request submitted to an authority for a specific change.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
What is a Plea?
A plea is an urgent or emotional request, often made in a legal context.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
Do both Petition and Plea ask for a change?
Yes, both aim to request a change or action.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
Can Petitions be online?
Yes, online petitions are becoming increasingly common.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
What is the common context for a Petition?
Petitions often appear in governance, social activism, or politics.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
Where are Pleas commonly used?
Pleas are most commonly used in legal or judicial settings.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
Is a Petition signed by multiple people?
Usually, petitions gather multiple signatures for support.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
Is a Plea made by a single person?
A plea is generally an individual's request or appeal.
Sara Rehman
Nov 01, 2023
Can both Petition and Plea be used in legal contexts?
Yes, but a petition in legal settings is more formal, while a plea is often part of court proceedings.
Harlon Moss
Nov 01, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
