What is a plea bargain in criminal cases?

A plea bargain is an agreement between a defendant and a prosecuting attorney in criminal cases in Maryland. It allows the defendant to plead guilty to lesser charges or to one or more charges in exchange for a reduced sentence, reduced charges, or other considerations. The prosecutor may offer to drop some of the charges, or to seek a reduced penalty or a lesser sentence than the one that the defendant would have faced if found guilty in a court of law. The plea bargain can also be used to limit the amount of time the defendant has to spend in prison or on probation. Depending on the crime, the plea bargain may even allow the defendant to receive treatment or rehabilitation instead of jail time. A plea bargain is not mandatory, and the defendant can choose to take the case to trial. The defendant also has the right to reject any plea bargain that is offered; however, if the defendant does not accept the plea bargain, he or she will face the original or more serious charges. Overall, a plea bargain is an agreement between the defendant and prosecutor that the defendant will plea guilty to lesser charges or reduced sentences in exchange for a variety of considerations. While the court may accept or reject the plea bargain, it is ultimately up to the parties in the case to decide if they want to accept it or take the case to trial.

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What is a plea bargain in criminal cases?

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