pleading

(law) a statement in legal and logical form stating something on behalf of a party to a legal proceeding

appeal or request earnestly

I pleaded with him to stop

offer as an excuse or plea

She was pleading insanity

enter a plea, as in courts of law

She pleaded not guilty

make an allegation in an action or other legal proceeding, especially answer the previous pleading of the other party by denying facts therein stated or by alleging new facts