What is a plea bargain?

A plea bargain is an agreement between a criminal defendant and the prosecutor where the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge or a reduced number of charges in exchange for a lighter sentence or a dismissal of some of the charges. This is often seen as a way for defendants to accept responsibility for their actions and negotiate a more favorable outcome. In Washington, plea bargains must be approved by the court and must meet all of the requirements of the plea negotiation process. When both the prosecutor and the defendant agree to a plea bargain, they will then submit it to the court for approval. The court will review the agreement and decide whether or not to accept it. If the judge accepts the plea, the defendant will be found guilty of the reduced charges and the prosecution will drop the remaining charges. In addition to negotiating a lighter sentence, plea bargains can also be used to avoid the costs and time associated with a lengthy trial. Plea bargains are a common practice in criminal proceedings across the United States and can be an effective way of helping both defendants and prosecutors get a just and acceptable outcome to a criminal case.

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