PLEA BARGAINS Meaning and
Definition
-
Plea bargains can be defined as a legal agreement made between a defendant and a prosecutor, usually in criminal cases, where the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge or to a reduced sentence in exchange for a certain concession from the prosecutor. This negotiation process aims to resolve criminal cases efficiently, save time and resources, and avoid lengthy trials.
In a plea bargain, the defendant and their legal counsel negotiate with the prosecution to reach mutually acceptable terms. These terms may include pleading guilty to a lesser offense, dropping some charges, or recommending a lenient sentence. Plea bargains can significantly vary depending on the jurisdiction, legal system, and specific circumstances of each case.
Plea bargains have become prevalent in many criminal justice systems due to their potential benefits for both defendants and the prosecution. Defendants may opt for a plea bargain to avoid the risks and uncertainties associated with a trial, secure a lighter sentence, or minimize the potential consequences of a conviction. For prosecutors, plea bargains allow them to expedite the resolution of cases, allocate limited resources more efficiently, focus on more serious offenses, or secure a conviction even when sufficient evidence for more severe charges may be lacking.
While plea bargains can expedite case resolution and alleviate pressure on courts, critics argue that they may undermine justice by potentially allowing guilty individuals to receive lighter sentences or by incentivizing defendants to plead guilty to crimes they did not commit. Nevertheless, plea bargains have become an integral part of the criminal justice system, offering an alternative to formal trials and contributing to case resolution.
Common Misspellings for PLEA BARGAINS
- plea barganing
- olea bargains
- llea bargains
- -lea bargains
- 0lea bargains
- pkea bargains
- ppea bargains
- poea bargains
- plwa bargains
- plsa bargains
- plda bargains
- plra bargains
- pl4a bargains
- pl3a bargains
- plez bargains
- ples bargains
- plew bargains
- pleq bargains
- plea vargains
- plea nargains
Etymology of PLEA BARGAINS
The word "plea bargain" originated from the combination of two separate terms, "plea" and "bargain".
The term "plea" comes from the Latin word "placitum" which means "a decree" or "a decision". In legal contexts, it refers to a defendant's formal response to the charges brought against them in a court of law. The word "plea" emerged in Middle English around the 13th century.
The term "bargain" has its roots in Old French, specifically from the word "bargaignier" meaning "to haggle" or "to negotiate". It entered the English language during the 14th century.
The combination of "plea" and "bargain" gives rise to the term "plea bargain", which involves negotiations and compromises related to a defendant's plea in a criminal case.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
