What is a plea bargain?

A plea bargain is an agreement between a defendant and the prosecuting attorney in a criminal case. It is a common procedure in many Louisiana courtrooms. A plea bargain is an agreement where the defendant agrees to plead guilty or no contest or to one or more charges in return for the prosecutor agreeing to drop additional charges or to recommend a lighter sentence than the defendant originally faced. In some plea bargains, the defendant may be allowed to change the plea from guilty to no contest. This removes the risk of a conviction, but the defendant still must pay the same fines or do the same jail time that he or she would have had to do if found guilty. Plea bargains can be beneficial for both the defendant and the prosecutor. By avoiding a full trial and sentencing, the prosecutor is able to save time and resources. For the defendant, it can be a way to avoid a lengthy trial and possibly receive a shorter sentence or fewer charges than might have resulted from a trial. It can also provide peace of mind that the sentence has been established and the defendant will not be facing a jury.

Related FAQs

What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?
What is a bailiff?
What is an instruction to the jury?
How do I make a motion for a new trial?
What is a public defender?
What is a pre-trial conference?
What is a judicial review?
What is a restraining order?
What is a writ of habeas corpus?
What is a contempt of court hearing?

What is a plea bargain?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts