plea bargaining

noun

1. an agreement between a prosecutor and a defendant whereby the defendant is allowed to plead guilty to a lesser charge rather than risk conviction for a graver crime in order to avoid a protracted trial or to win the defendant's cooperation as a witness.

plea bargaining

noun

1. law an agreement between the prosecution and defence, sometimes including the judge, in which the accused agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge in return for more serious charges being dropped

Word History and Origins

Origin of plea bargaining¹

An Americanism dating back to 1960–65

Example Sentences

Most criminal cases in the U.S. are resolved through plea bargaining, especially for defendants who cannot afford bail.

From Seattle Times

But, he wrote, “a prosecutor’s alleged misconduct during plea bargaining and sentencing merit the protection of absolute immunity.”

From Seattle Times

Lawyers for some defendants who plead not guilty may engage in plea bargaining, where they negotiate a guilty plea with prosecutors to avoid a trial.

From Reuters

The task force’s report stresses that plea bargaining has legitimate uses.

From Washington Post

But Mr. Williams said that there had been no plea bargaining with Mr. Crumbley.

From New York Times