Euphemistic term used by a criminal suspect to ask
police for a maximum of only 8 years in
prison in exchange for a
full confession to the crime for which he or she is charged.
Detective: We know you killed that old woman -- your blood is all over her apartment and on the
knife sticking out of her dead body!
Suspect: Look, I already told you -- I ain't saying nothin' unless you give me a straight-8. If you can do that, I'll give you what you want.
Detective: 8 years for
cold-blooded murder? I
don't think so.
Suspect: Well, if you want a full confession, you know what I need.