Horizontal vs. Vertical Plea Bargaining

Horizontal plea bargaining involves negotiating a deal where a defendant pleads guilty to multiple charges in exchange for a reduced sentence or dismissal of other charges. This often occurs within the same jurisdiction for different offenses. In contrast, vertical plea bargaining focuses on pleading guilty to a lesser charge rather than the original, more serious one. Here, the defendant typically accepts a guilty plea to a charge that carries a lighter penalty. Both types of plea bargains aim to resolve cases more efficiently while offering some concessions to the defendant.