plea bargaining

plea bar·gain·ing

noun \-ˌbär-gə-niŋ\

Definition of PLEA BARGAINING

: the negotiation of an agreement between a prosecutor and a defendant whereby the defendant is permitted to plead guilty to a reduced charge

— plea–bargain intransitive verb

— plea bargain noun

Examples of PLEA BARGAINING

1. As a result of plea bargaining, he would not be sentenced to death.

First Known Use of PLEA BARGAINING

1932

plea bargaining

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Negotiation of an agreement between the prosecution and the defense whereby the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser offense or (in the case of multiple offenses) to one or more of the offenses charged, in exchange for more lenient sentencing, recommendations, a specific sentence, or a dismissal of other charges. Supporters claim plea bargaining speeds court proceedings and guarantees a conviction; opponents believe it prevents justice from being served.