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

Plea bargains and plea agreements are similar concepts in criminal defense law in New York. The main difference between the two is that a plea bargain is an offer from the prosecution to a defendant in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty or no contest to a lesser charge or to one or more charges in exchange for a more lenient sentence. This is done without any form of agreement from the defense. In contrast, a plea agreement is an agreement between the defense and the prosecution that occurs after plea negotiations. In a plea agreement, the defense and prosecution both agree to a specific sentence or charges in exchange for a plea of guilty or no contest from the defendant. A plea agreement serves as a written contract between both parties that is signed by the judge and all parties involved. With both a plea bargain and a plea agreement, it is important to ensure that the defendant fully understands the terms of the agreement and their rights. In criminal defense law in New York, plea bargains and plea agreements are two different procedures that allow defendants to plead guilty or no contest to lesser or fewer charges in exchange for a more lenient sentence. A plea bargain is an offer from the prosecution without any form of agreement from the defense, while a plea agreement is an agreement between defense and prosecution that serves as a written contract.

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

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