Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

allocution

Noun

/ˌaləˈkyo͞oSHən/

Definition

A formal speech, often made by a defendant in a court before sentencing.

Examples

During the allocution, the defendant expressed remorse for his actions and asked for leniency.
The judge allowed the victim’s family to deliver their allocution before the sentencing took place.
She prepared her allocution carefully, wanting to convey her true feelings to the court.

Meaning

Allocution refers to a specific and sometimes ceremonial address typically made in a legal context, where an individual, particularly a defendant, has the opportunity to speak directly to the court regarding their actions or personal circumstances.