What is plea bargaining in criminal defense law?

Plea bargaining is an important process in criminal defense law that occurs in North Carolina and many other states. It is a process that allows a defendant to plead guilty to a lesser charge or lighter sentence in exchange for the prosecutor dropping some or all of the charges against them. In plea bargaining, some of the most common deals are a defendant pleading guilty to a less serious charge than the one they were initially charged with or a lighter sentence than what they were facing. For example, a defendant facing a felony charge may agree to plead guilty to a misdemeanor in exchange for a lighter sentence. The defendant must agree to the deal before it can be made. However, plea bargaining is not always successful. In some cases, the prosecutor may refuse to accept a plea deal, or the judge may refuse to accept it if they believe the defendant is not guilty of the charge they are pleading guilty to. In North Carolina, judges have the ultimate authority to decide the outcome of a plea, so it is important that defendants understand the risks of this process before entering into a plea agreement. Plea bargaining can be a helpful tool for defendants facing criminal charges in North Carolina, but it is important to remember that the process carries risks. It is also important to have an experienced criminal defense lawyer to help you understand the risks and benefits of a plea deal.

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What is plea bargaining in criminal defense law?

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