A plea bargain is an agreement between the defendant and the prosecutor in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge or to one of multiple charges in exchange for a more lenient sentence or the dismissal of other charges.
Types of Plea Bargains
Charge bargaining involves pleading guilty to a lesser offense — for example, pleading guilty to manslaughter instead of murder. Sentence bargaining involves pleading guilty in exchange for a lighter sentence. Count bargaining involves pleading guilty to some charges in exchange for others being dropped.
Should You Accept a Plea Bargain?
Not always. Whether a plea bargain is in your best interest depends entirely on the strength of the prosecution’s evidence, the potential sentence if convicted at trial, and the specific terms being offered. An experienced criminal defense attorney will analyze all of this before advising you. Never accept or reject a plea bargain without first speaking with your attorney.
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