plea bargains

A plea bargain is a legal agreement where a defendant agrees to plead guilty to a charge, or to a lesser charge, in exchange for some benefit, typically a reduced sentence or the dismissal of other charges. This process allows the defendant to resolve the case more quickly and with certainty, saving time and resources for the courts. Prosecutors and defense attorneys negotiate these terms, often balancing the interests of justice with practical considerations. Plea bargains are common in the legal system, helping to streamline case workloads and provide defendants with a potential advantage or leniency.