plea bargaining
present participle of plea-bargain
/pliː ˈbɑːrɡən/
verb
- To negotiate an agreement in which a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a lighter sentence or other benefits.
- The defendant decided to plea-bargain rather than risk a trial.
- Prosecutors often plea-bargain to save time and resources.
- Some critics argue that it is unfair to pressure innocent people to plea-bargain.