People who are facing criminal charges often want to get those charges taken care of as quickly as possible. While some people want to fight the charges and go through a jury trial, others don’t want to have to do that.
For those who know that they committed a crime, one option that they have is to see if they can work out a plea deal with the prosecution. This is only appropriate for defendants who admit they did something that broke the law because they have to plead either guilty or no contest to the charges. In exchange for that plea, the prosecution makes certain agreements with them.
There are four specific areas that are up for negotiation in plea deals.
Charge bargaining
Charge bargaining is one of the most common types of plea deals. In this type of deal, the plea deal centers on reducing the charge the defendant is facing. This could mean that a charge is shifted to a less serious felony class or that a felony is downgraded to a misdemeanor.
Sentence bargaining
Sentence bargaining centers on the outcome of sentencing rather than the charge itself. This type of plea has to do with a reduction in the sentence for the charge. It could include a reduced length in a prison sentence or even probation instead of a imprisonment.
Fact bargaining
Fact bargaining is less common, but is still used sometimes. It includes the defendant admitting to specific facts in exchange for the prosecution not introducing other facts that could lead to harsher penalties. This is particularly important if the facts that the defendant doesn’t want introduced could lead to enhanced penalties.
Count bargaining
Count bargaining involves the defendant pleading guilty to some charges in a case. The prosecution agrees to drop the remaining charges. This can reduce the number of convictions and the penalties the person faces.
Plea bargains are an important part of the criminal justice system. A person who agrees to a plea deal can’t appeal the deal or the terms later.