What describes a plea bargain?

• A. A legal negotiation in which a prosecutor reduces a charge in exchange for a defendant's guilty plea.
• B. A jury verdict after a lengthy trial.
• C. A judge's order to postpone a trial.
• D. A private civil settlement.

Answer: (A)

A plea bargain is a negotiated agreement in a criminal case where the prosecutor and the defendant reach a deal: the defendant pleads guilty to charges (often to a lesser offense or with a specific admission) in exchange for the prosecutor dropping or reducing other charges and/or recommending a more lenient sentence. This resolves the case without going to trial. The court must approve the agreement, and by entering the plea the defendant waives the right to a jury trial and to several trial-related defenses. This setup saves time and resources for both sides and provides a more predictable outcome for sentencing. It’s not a jury verdict after a trial, not a judge delaying the trial, and not a private civil settlement.