What is the process of plea bargaining in a violent crime case?

Plea bargaining is when the defendant, the prosecutor, and often a judge come to an agreement that involves the defendant pleading guilty or no contest to some or all charges, in exchange for a lighter sentence or a dismissal of certain charges. This process is often seen in violent crime cases in California. When a violent crime case goes to court, the defendant will first enter a plea of either guilty or not guilty. If the defendant pleads guilty, their case is usually concluded right there. If they plead not guilty, however, each side will present evidence and witnesses to prove their case in a criminal trial. In some cases, the prosecutor and defense attorney may agree to engage in plea bargaining. This is when the prosecution offers the defendant a plea bargain, which is an agreement to plead guilty to some, or all, of the charges, in return for lesser penalties or other considerations. The defendant, of course, must accept the plea bargain for it to be accepted by the court. The judge may also need to approve the plea bargain. The judge can reject a plea bargain if it appears to be inadequate for the crime committed. Upon acceptance of the plea bargain, the criminal trial is typically dropped and the defendant will enter their plea and be sentenced according to the agreed-upon terms. Plea bargaining is an important element of the criminal justice system in California and can be used to avoid lengthy and costly trials.

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What is the process of plea bargaining in a violent crime case?

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