PLEABARGAINS Meaning and
Definition
-
Plea bargains refer to negotiated agreements between a defendant and the prosecution in a criminal case, where the defendant agrees to plead guilty or no contest to a lesser charge or to a reduced sentence. This practice is commonly employed to resolve criminal cases in many legal systems.
In a plea bargain, the prosecution typically offers the defendant certain concessions, such as dropping some charges, reducing the severity of the offense, or recommending a lenient sentence. In return, the defendant agrees to forgo their right to a trial and plead guilty to the charges specified in the agreement. Plea bargains often allow defendants to avoid more serious charges or potentially severe penalties, incentivizing them to admit guilt and save time and resources that would be spent on a trial.
These bargains aim to benefit both parties involved. For the prosecution, a plea bargain ensures a conviction with a lesser burden of proof and saves resources that can be allocated to other cases. On the other hand, defendants may see plea bargains as an opportunity to avoid the uncertainty, expense, and potential harshness of trial outcomes.
Plea bargains have a significant impact on the criminal justice system, as they help expedite the resolution of cases and alleviate the burden on courts. However, critics argue that they may lead to injustices, as innocent defendants may feel pressured to plead guilty to avoid the risk of a harsh sentence or the emotional toll of a trial.
Overall, plea bargains play a pivotal role in the criminal justice system, receiving both support for their efficiency and criticism for potential pitfalls regarding fairness and due process.
Common Misspellings for PLEABARGAINS
- pleabargin
- pleabargan
- oleabargains
- lleabargains
- -leabargains
- 0leabargains
- pkeabargains
- ppeabargains
- poeabargains
- plwabargains
- plsabargains
- pldabargains
- plrabargains
- pl4abargains
- pl3abargains
- plezbargains
- plesbargains
- plewbargains
- pleqbargains
- pleavargains
Etymology of PLEABARGAINS
The term "plea bargain" is derived from two separate components - "plea" and "bargain".
1. Plea: The word "plea" stems from the Anglo-Norman French "pleder", meaning "to plead" or "to argue". It can be traced back to the Latin word "placitare", meaning "to bring a lawsuit" or "to please".
2. Bargain: The word "bargain" comes from the Old English word "beorgan", meaning "to save" or "to obtain by exchange". It later evolved to refer to an agreement reached through negotiation or discussion.
When these two words are combined, "plea bargain" refers to an agreement between a defendant and the prosecution in which the defendant pleads guilty or no contest to a lesser charge or receives a reduced sentence in exchange for cooperation or concessions.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
