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to cop a plea
01
to plead guilty to a lesser criminal charge than originally charged
Slang
What does "to cop a plea" mean in legal and street slang?
The structure combines "cop" (slang for to take or receive) with "a plea" (a defendant's formal answer to criminal charges), forming a verb phrase for a specific legal negotiation. It is used to describe pleading guilty to a lesser criminal charge than originally charged, often in exchange for a lighter sentence, dropped counts, or a deal with prosecutors. People typically say someone "copped a plea" when they avoid trial by accepting a bargain, such as "He was facing murder but copped a plea to manslaughter."
Examples
He decided to cop a plea to avoid a longer sentence.
