What is a plea bargain?

A plea bargain is a negotiation between a defendant and the prosecution in a criminal case. The defendant pleads guilty in exchange for a reduced sentence, lessened charges, or dismissal of some charges. In Hawaii, plea bargains are used in the criminal justice system to save time and money. A plea bargain is used when the prosecution and defense agree to a lesser charge or a reduced sentence. The defendant is expected to plead guilty to the lesser charge or accept the reduced sentence. This is done in order to avoid a lengthy and costly trial. For the prosecution, they are able to resolve the case quickly with a guilty plea. For the defense, they are able to reduce the potential sentence of the accused. In Hawaii, plea bargains are usually arranged at the initial court hearing prior to formal charges being filed. The defendant must sign a plea agreement which outlines all the details of the plea including the charge(s) they are pleading guilty to and the length of the sentence. Once the defendant pleads guilty, the plea bargain is then sent to the court for approval. A plea bargain results in an alternative to a trial and allows for the swift resolution of a criminal case. Plea bargains can help to save both time and money for the court system and are often used as a way to help defendants to avoid long jail sentences.

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