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

A plea bargain and a plea agreement are two similar legal terms. A plea bargain is a negotiation between a defendant and the prosecution and is used to avoid a trial. During a plea bargain, the defendant offers to plead guilty to a lesser offense in exchange for a reduced sentence in the case. A plea agreement is a written document setting out the terms of the plea bargain. It includes all the details of the agreement, including the lesser offense that the defendant agrees to plead guilty to and the reduced sentence. In Maryland, plea bargains and plea agreements are often used to reduce the severity of drug crime sentences. This is done in order to avoid costly, lengthy trials and to protect the defendant from harsher punishments. Plea bargains and plea agreements can also be used by prosecutors to secure a conviction in a case where there may not be sufficient evidence to proceed with a trial. In short, the difference between a plea bargain and a plea agreement is that a plea bargain is the negotiation between a defendant and the prosecution, while a plea agreement is the written document that sets out the terms of the plea bargain. Both are used in Maryland to reduce sentences for drug crimes and to protect defendants from harsher punishments.

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

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