plea deal

A plea deal is an agreement between a defendant and prosecutors in a criminal case. The defendant agrees to admit guilt or accept certain conditions in exchange for a reduction in charges or a lighter sentence. This process can save time and resources for the justice system, and often provides the defendant a more predictable outcome. Plea deals are common and generally happen before trial, allowing both sides to avoid the uncertainty of a jury verdict. They are legally binding once accepted in court, helping to efficiently resolve cases while balancing fairness.