What is "plea bargaining"?

Plea bargaining is accurately defined as a negotiation process where the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge or to the original charge with the expectation of receiving a more lenient sentence. This process is significant as it helps to alleviate the burden on the court system by reducing the number of cases that go to trial, allowing for quicker resolutions and often a more predictable outcome for both the prosecution and the defense.

The negotiation involved in plea bargaining can result in various agreements, such as dropping certain charges, agreeing to recommend a lighter sentence, or other concessions that make it beneficial for the defendant. This practice is a widespread aspect of the criminal justice system and plays a crucial role in ensuring efficiency in handling criminal cases.

Other options do not accurately represent what plea bargaining entails. While jury selection refers to the process of choosing individuals to serve on a jury, contesting evidence involves legal arguments about the admissibility or relevance of evidence during trials, and the imposition of sentences relates to the penalty phase after a conviction rather than pretrial negotiations. Thus, recognizing plea bargaining as a negotiation for reduced charges underscores its essential function within the broader criminal justice process.