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

A plea bargain and a plea agreement are both methods that a person charged with a crime can use to accept responsibility and negotiate a reduced sentence. However, they are not the same thing. A plea bargain is an agreement between the prosecutor and the defendant in a criminal case. A plea bargain involves the prosecutor offering the defendant reduced charges and/or a reduced sentence in exchange for the defendant’s guilty plea. In a plea bargain, the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for a lesser charge or sentence. A plea agreement, also known as a deferred prosecution agreement, is negotiated between the prosecutor and the defendant’s lawyer. In a plea agreement, the defendant agrees to plead guilty or no contest to certain charges, and in exchange, the prosecutor agrees to another penalty, such as probation or drug treatment programs, rather than a prison sentence. In a plea agreement, the defendant does not necessarily plead guilty and may not be required to serve any jail time. In both cases, the prosecutor considers the facts of the case as well as the defendant’s criminal record, before deciding what kind of agreement to offer. It is important to note that plea bargaining and plea agreements are not available in all states, including California. In California, a plea bargain or agreement must be approved by a judge before it can be finalized.

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

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