Plain error refers to a significant mistake in a legal proceeding that affects a party's rights, which can be recognized and addressed by an appellate court even if the issue was not raised during the trial. This concept allows appellate courts to correct glaring injustices that may have occurred in lower courts, ensuring fairness in the judicial process. Plain error can result in the reversal of convictions or judgments when the error is so clear that it undermines the confidence in the outcome of the trial.
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