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

A plea bargain and a plea agreement are two different terms that are often confused in criminal defense law. A plea bargain is an agreement in which a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge than the one initially brought by prosecutors in exchange for a more lenient sentence. In a plea agreement, the defendant and prosecutor reach an agreement on the terms of a plea, including the charges and sentencing, before the defendant enters a guilty plea. In Mississippi, a plea bargain is typically offered to defendants who have been charged with a crime they did not commit or have a limited criminal history. It can also be offered when the evidence against the defendant is so strong that the prosecution is willing to allow the defendant to plead to a lesser charge in exchange for a lighter sentence. In a plea agreement, both parties agree on a specific plea and sentence before the plea is entered. The difference between a plea bargain and a plea agreement is that the former involves the possibility of a lesser sentence, while the latter involves an agreement between the parties on the exact terms of the plea and sentence before the plea is entered. In both cases, the defendant will likely need to plead guilty to some charge, but the terms of the plea and the sentence may be different.

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

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