What is the difference between a plea agreement and probation?

A plea agreement and probation are two separate outcomes that can result from a criminal charge in California. A plea agreement is an arrangement between the prosecutor and the defendant that the defendant will plead guilty or no contest to specific charges in exchange for the prosecutor dropping or reducing additional charges or agreeing to a lesser sentence. This agreement is written before the trial begins and submitted to the court for approval. Probation is a sentence imposed by the court instead of jail time. It allows the defendant to remain in the community as long as certain conditions are met, such as following the law and not leaving the county. Probation can be supervised, meaning the defendant must regularly meet with the probation officer, or unsupervised, which means there are fewer restrictions. The length of probation is determined by the court and can range from a few weeks to several years, depending on the crime. In summary, a plea agreement is an arrangement between the prosecutor and the defendant to plead guilty or no contest to specified charges in exchange for a lesser sentence or fewer charges, while probation is a sentence imposed by the court that allows the defendant to remain in the community, with or without supervision, as long as certain conditions are met.

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What is the difference between a plea agreement and probation?

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