Legal Definitions - stand mute

Definition: When a defendant refuses to enter a plea to a criminal charge.

Example: John was brought to court for stealing a car. When asked to enter a plea, he decided to stand mute and not say anything.

Explanation:Standing mute means that the defendant does not plead guilty or not guilty to the charges against them. This can happen for various reasons, such as the defendant not wanting to incriminate themselves or not understanding the charges. However, the court will not proceed with the trial until a plea is entered.