allocution in a sentence

Definition

Allocution is a formal statement made by a defendant in court, often expressing remorse or addressing the court before sentencing.

The judge listened carefully to the defendant's allocution before passing sentence.
During the allocution, the convicted man expressed deep remorse for his actions.
Her allocution was heartfelt, revealing the struggles that led her to commit the crime.
As part of the sentencing process, the judge allows the allocution to give the defendant a voice.
In his allocution, he described the impact of his crimes on the victims’ lives.
The defense attorney prepared his client thoroughly for the allocution to ensure it resonated with the court.
Allocutions can sometimes sway a judge's decision regarding leniency in sentencing.
After the allocution, the courtroom fell silent as everyone absorbed the weight of his words.
The public's reaction to the allocution was mixed, with some feeling sympathy and others outrage.
She delivered her allocution with such sincerity that even the prosecutor was visibly moved.