What is a plea bargain?

A plea bargain is an agreement between a defendant and the prosecution in a criminal case. A defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser offense or to the original criminal charge in exchange for a less severe sentence. In Kansas, plea bargaining is allowed in both state and federal courts. When the defendant agrees to a plea bargain, they are usually agreeing to plead guilty to a lesser offense in exchange for a reduced sentence. This means that instead of the defendant facing a harsh sentence for their original charge, they are pleading guilty to a lesser offense that carries a much lighter punishment. This saves the court system time and money involved with a trial and can allow a defendant to receive a more lenient sentence than they would have received otherwise. Plea bargains are also advantageous for prosecutors. Through a plea bargain, they are more likely to secure a conviction on a lesser offense than they would have been able to win in a trial on the original charge. This helps them to avoid the costs and risks of a trial and eliminates the possibility of acquitting the defendant. Plea bargaining can be beneficial for both the defendant and the prosecution in a criminal case. It can help to reduce the costs of a trial, while providing the defendant with the potential for a lighter sentence than they may have faced under the original charge.

Related FAQs

What is a public defender?
What forms do I need to file in court?
What is a motion for a new trial?
What is the standard of proof in a court case?
What is the difference between a lawyer and an attorney?
How do I prepare for court?
How do I prepare a witness statement?
What is a court?
What is the difference between a judge and a magistrate?
What is a motion to dismiss?

What is a plea bargain?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts