What is a plea bargain in a federal criminal case?

A plea bargain is an agreement between a defendant and a prosecutor in a federal criminal case in South Carolina. In this agreement, the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser offense, or to only one or some of the charges against them, in exchange for the prosecutor’s recommendation of a lesser sentence. The plea bargain process begins with the defendant discussing their case with their defense attorney to understand the charges against them, the potential sentences they may face, and the possibility of a plea bargain. If the defendant and defense attorney determine that a plea bargain is advantageous, they will present a plea agreement to the prosecutor. The plea agreement might include the defendant pleading guilty to a lesser charge or only some of the charges, a recommended sentence, and any conditions or restrictions that the defendant must follow. The prosecutor will typically consider the agreement, including evidence presented by the defense attorney, before making a decision. If the prosecutor accepts the plea bargain, the defendant will be required to abide by the agreement when they go to court. If they do not, they may face harsher sentences.

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