What is the difference between a plea bargain and a plea agreement in criminal defense law?

A plea bargain and a plea agreement are both legal terms used in criminal defense law in Florida. A plea bargain is an agreement between the defendant and the prosecution in which the defendant pleads guilty, usually in exchange for a lesser sentence than what they might have received had they gone to trial. A plea agreement is an agreement between both the prosecution and defense in which the defendant pleads guilty or no contest to a lesser charge or reduced sentence in exchange for the prosecution dropping more serious charges. In a plea bargain, the defendant and the prosecution reach an agreement in which the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge or accepts a reduced sentence in return for a more lenient outcome than they would have otherwise faced. In a plea agreement, both sides come to an agreement on a resolution of the case. Both plea bargains and plea agreements are common in criminal defense law in Florida as an alternative to going to trial or more serious charges. However, they are different—a plea bargain is made between the defendant and the prosecution, and a plea agreement is made between both sides. Therefore, it is important for defendants to understand the differences between a plea bargain and a plea agreement, so they can make an informed decision about how to move forward in their case.

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What is the difference between a plea bargain and a plea agreement in criminal defense law?

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