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

Plea bargaining and plea agreements are two distinct processes that are often confused. A plea bargain is a negotiation between the prosecutor and the accused in which the accused agrees to plead guilty to a lesser crime in exchange for a lesser sentence. On the other hand, plea agreements are an agreement between the accused and the prosecutor in which the accused agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some sort of lenient sentence or other consideration from the prosecutor. The key difference between the two is that a plea bargain involves the accused pleading guilty to a lesser crime, while in a plea agreement, the accused is pleading guilty to the same charge. Plea bargains are often used by prosecutors to avoid having to take a case to trial, while plea agreements are typically used when a conviction on the original charge is likely but the prosecutor is willing to give the defendant some leniency in exchange for a guilty plea. In Washington, plea bargains and plea agreements are common tools used by prosecutors and defense attorneys to come to a resolution in criminal cases. Both plea bargains and plea agreements are subject to court approval and are often used to resolve cases quickly and efficiently, allowing both parties to avoid the time and expense of a trial.

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

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