What is the process of plea negotiations? How does the plea bargain process help the prosecution, the defendant, and the people? The following will examine the plea negotiation process and explain the advantages for the prosecution, as well as, the defendant and the people.
A plea bargain is when the defense and prosecution negotiate a deal in which the defendant will plead guilty or no contest. In return for the plea, the prosecution offers the defendant to drop or reduce one or more charges, or recommend a lighter sentence to the judge. The textbook estimates that more than 90% convictions are the result of pleas (Bergman & Berman, 2011).
How does the plea process help the prosecution?