What is a plea bargain?

A plea bargain is an agreement between a defendant and a prosecutor in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a specific charge in exchange for a lighter sentence or other consideration from the prosecutor. The agreement is made before the trial takes place and is often used to avoid a lengthy and costly trial. In California, plea bargains are typically used for drunk driving cases and other related charges. Prosecutors are often willing to offer lighter sentences or dismiss certain charges in exchange for an admission of guilt from the defendant. For example, a defendant charged with a felony DUI may be able to reduce their charge to a misdemeanor DUI or a lesser offense. It is important to remember that accepting a plea bargain is not a guarantee that the defendant will receive a lighter sentence. In some cases, the court will not accept the plea bargain and may reject the bargain or impose a harsher sentence than that proposed by the prosecutor. In addition, defendants should always be sure to thoroughly understand all of the conditions of any plea bargain before agreeing to it.

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