Plea Bargaining

Introduction:
A plea bargain is a contact with the state. Generally, a defendant who enters into a plea bargain typically agrees to plead guilty to a lesser crime (receiving a lesser sentence as a result) rather than go to trial for a more serious charge that carries the possibility of a harsher sentence if he/she is found guilty. The defendant may also be offered a reduced sentence in exchange for information about another illegal act or guilty individual. Over 90% of felony cases end in plea bargains.