What is a plea bargain?

A plea bargain is an arrangement in Virginia criminal court proceedings between a defendant and the prosecuting attorney that allows the defendant to plead guilty to a lesser charge or to a reduced number of charges in exchange for a more lenient sentence than the defendant would face if convicted of the original charges. The defendant agrees to plead guilty in court and, in exchange, the prosecuting attorney agrees to drop some of the charges or to recommend a more lenient sentence. The plea bargain is an agreement between the parties that can be accepted or rejected by the court. The plea bargain process typically begins with the defendant working with their attorney to reach an agreement with the prosecuting attorney. The plea bargain might involve the defendant pleading guilty to a less serious crime or a reduced number of charges. In exchange, the prosecution agrees to a lesser sentence or to not pursue other charges. If the plea bargain is accepted by the court, the defendant must abide by the agreement and cannot appeal their sentence. The judge also has the authority to reject the plea bargain and can ask the sides to negotiate a different arrangement. The plea bargain is an important part of the judicial process and can help ensure that both sides get a fair and reasonable outcome.

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