What is the difference between a plea bargain and a plea agreement?

A plea bargain and plea agreement are both strategies used in criminal law to resolve criminal cases without a trial. The primary difference between a plea bargain and a plea agreement in North Carolina is the degree of negotiation that is involved. A plea bargain is a formal agreement negotiated between the defendant and the prosecutor that resolves the case without the need for a trial. Generally, the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge in return for the prosecutor dropping more serious charges or using leniency in sentencing. A plea agreement is a less formal agreement made between the defendant and the prosecutor. In this situation, the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a criminal charge in exchange for a particular sentence, such as probation or reduced jail time. In a plea agreement, the defendant usually does not have much room to negotiate with the prosecutor as they agree to plead guilty in exchange for the given sentence. In short, the main difference between a plea bargain and a plea agreement is that a plea bargain involves more negotiation between the defendant and the prosecutor, whereas a plea agreement means the defendant has much less room for negotiation.

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