What is the process of plea-bargaining in criminal cases?

In Virginia, plea-bargaining is a common method of resolving criminal cases without the need for a full trial. In its most basic form, plea-bargaining is the process of negotiating a plea agreement between the prosecutor and the defendant. It typically involves the defendant admitting guilt in exchange for the prosecutor reducing or dismissing charges, or recommending a reduced sentence. Plea-bargaining is a voluntary process and can occur at various stages of a criminal case. Negotiations usually take place after the defendant has been charged, although sometimes plea-bargaining begins before the formal charges are filed. Depending on the circumstances, plea negotiations may involve an agreement to resolve the case with a guilty plea to one or more of the original charges or to lesser included offenses. In Virginia, the process of plea-bargaining begins when the prosecutor and the defense attorney discuss the details of a potential plea agreement. The defendant cannot be forced to accept a plea agreement and must ultimately accept responsibility for the plea. If the defendant agrees to the plea bargain proposed by the prosecution, the plea is then presented to the court for approval. If the court approves the plea, the defendant is expected to enter a plea of guilty or no contest to the proposed charges. The ultimate goal of plea-bargaining is to save time and money while avoiding the risk of a trial, but the process is dependent on the strength of the evidence against the defendant, the seriousness of the crime, and the specific details of the proposed plea. Depending on the case, plea-bargaining can be beneficial to both parties, as it may secure a conviction for the prosecutor and a lesser sentence for the defendant.

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What is the process of plea-bargaining in criminal cases?

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