Definition

Noun: - (Legal Process): A pretrial negotiation in a criminal case where the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge or to one of multiple charges in exchange for a concession from the prosecutor, such as a more lenient sentence or the dismissal of more serious charges. This process is used to resolve a case without a full trial.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The defendant's lawyer engaged in plea bargaining to avoid the risk of a lengthy prison sentence.
  • The system of plea bargaining is common in many judicial systems to reduce court backlogs.
  • Critics argue that plea bargaining can sometimes pressure innocent people to plead guilty.

Advanced Usage

• "To engage in plea bargaining": To participate in the negotiation process.
  • The defense attorney advised his client to engage in plea bargaining.
• "As a result of plea bargaining": Indicating an outcome from the negotiation.
  • He received a reduced sentence as a result of plea bargaining.

Variants and Related Words

• Plea bargain (n): The specific agreement reached through the plea bargaining process.
  • They reached a plea bargain that satisfied both sides.
• Plea-bargain (v): To negotiate or arrange a plea bargain.
  • The prosecutor decided to plea-bargain with the defendant.

Synonyms

• Negotiated plea: A guilty plea arrived at through negotiation.
• Case settlement (in a criminal context): The resolution of a criminal case without trial.

Related Phrases

• To strike a deal: (Informal) To reach an agreement, often used in the context of plea bargaining.
  • The two sides struck a deal to avoid a trial.
• To cop a plea: (Slang) To plead guilty to a lesser charge.
  • Facing strong evidence, he decided to cop a plea.

Noun

1. (criminal law) a negotiation in which the defendant agrees to enter a plea of guilty to a lesser charge and the prosecutor agrees to drop a more serious charge
   • his admission was part of a plea bargain with the prosecutor
   • plea bargaining helps to stop the courts becoming congested