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

A plea bargain and a plea agreement are both instances of a defendant reaching a legal agreement with prosecutors in order to avoid a full trial. The primary difference between these is the implication in the terms used. A plea bargain is an agreement between the defendant and prosecutors in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a lesser sentence or to have other charges dropped. The defendant is often given reduced penalties, such as probation or community service instead of jail or prison time. A plea agreement, on the other hand, is made between the defendant and prosecutors in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a charge or charges as part of an agreement in order to receive a specific sentence. That sentence is known in advance, making it different from a plea bargain. In both cases, the defendant is admitting guilt and forfeiting the right to a full trial. A plea bargain is more likely to be used in drug crimes law in Virginia to reduce a sentence or to have some charges dropped, while a plea agreement is likely to be used to guarantee a specific, known sentence.

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

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