allocution

IPA: ˈæɫʌkjˈuʃʌn

A formal speech, especially one which is regarded as authoritative and forceful.
(chiefly US, law) The question put to a convicted defendant by a judge after the rendering of the verdict in a trial, in which the defendant is asked whether he or she wishes to make a statement to the court before sentencing; the statement made by a defendant in response to such a question; the legal right of a defendant to make such a statement.
(chiefly US, law) The legal right of a victim, in some jurisdictions, to make a statement to a court prior to sentencing of a defendant convicted of a crime causing injury to that victim; the actual statement made to a court by a victim.
(Roman Catholicism) A pronouncement by a pope to an assembly of church officials concerning a matter of church policy.
(communication, media) The mode of information dissemination in which media broadcasts are transmitted to multiple receivers with no or very limited capability of a two-way exchange of information.

Examples of "allocution" in Sentences

The accused made an allocution to the court, expressing remorse for their actions
The judge listened carefully to the allocution before handing down the sentence
During the allocution, the defendant took responsibility for their role in the crime
The allocution provided insight into the defendant's state of mind at the time of the offense
The defense attorney used the allocution as an opportunity to appeal for leniency from the judge