In Some Cases, Firms That Are Accused of Antitrust Violations

In some cases, firms that are accused of antitrust violations by federal authorities will plead guilty to the criminal charges in order to avoid facing the same charges in a private or civil trial. Why?

A) Attorneys in civil cases tend to be more effective at proving their claims.
B) The penalties for a conviction in a civil or private case are treble damages, or three times larger than the penalties in a criminal or public case.
C) Judges in criminal cases are known to be more lenient.
D) none of the above