cop a plea

1. Plead guilty or confess to a crime in exchange for a lighter sentence; also, plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for not being tried for a more serious charge. For example, Arnold decided he was better off copping a plea than facing a jury . [ Colloquial ; 1920s]

2. Plead for mercy; make excuses. For example, He copped a plea about not knowing his way around . [ Slang ; c. 1940]

Example Sentences

Maybe that is why, with closing statements scheduled for Monday, the lawyer for defendant William “Roddie” Bryan reportedly asked prosecutors if his client could cop a plea.

From Washington Post

Recondite, lips zipped tight — ’cause of you, Vance can’t jail me Awesome to see you not cop a plea, turn on me like Cohen.

From Washington Post

"If my children were threatened to be locked up, if I didn't cop a plea, I'd cop the plea," Watters told fellow co-host Juan Williams.

From Fox News

"The FBI and prosecutors for Robert Mueller knew that Michael Flynn was an innocent man. They hid the exculpatory evidence. They charged him, coerced him, intimidated and bullied him -- threatening to prosecute his son if he didn't cop a plea," Jarrett continued.

From Fox News

"But, Bob Mueller's team of partisans prosecuted him anyway and coerced him under threat to cop a plea. This is one of the worst cases of miscarriage of justice I have ever seen."

From Fox News