Sentence bargaining occurs when a defendant pleads guilty to the crime originally charged, but does so in exchange for a lesser sentence than would likely have been imposed if the defendant had been convicted at trial.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sentence bargaining involves the defendant agreeing to plead guilty to the original charges in exchange for a promise of a lighter sentence than what might be expected from a trial conviction, making the process a negotiation over the sentence rather than the charges.

Sentence Bargaining Occurs When a Defendant Pleads Guilty to the Crime