What is a plea bargain in a court-martial?

A plea bargain is an agreement between a military accused and a court-martial in which the accused agrees to plead guilty to one or more criminal charges in exchange for a possibly lesser sentence or a dismissal of some or all of the charges. In a court-martial, a plea bargain can allow the accused to avoid a full trial and possibly limit the punishment he or she receives. The accused may also agree to testify against other defendants in exchange for a plea bargain. In Utah, plea bargaining is subject to the provisions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The UCMJ governs the conduct of all branches of the U.S. military. Under the UCMJ, the accused agrees to waive certain rights, including the right to a full trial, in exchange for the plea bargain. The plea bargain must be approved by the military judge. When agreeing to a plea bargain, the accused must understand the terms and the consequences of the agreement. The accused must also understand the nature of the charge and be willing to accept the consequences of pleading guilty. The accused must enter his or her plea knowingly and voluntarily in order to avoid any chance of being convicted of a more serious charge at a full trial.

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What is a plea bargain in a court-martial?

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