Glossary
Plea bargain
An agreement in a criminal case where the defendant pleads guilty (or no contest) to one or more charges in exchange for some concession: reduced charges, a recommended sentence, dismissal of other charges.
Most criminal cases: well over 90%: end in plea bargains, not trials. The reasons run both ways. Defendants get certainty (a known sentence vs. trial risk), avoid the costs of trial, and often get charges reduced. Prosecutors clear cases efficiently and lock in convictions without trial risk.
A plea bargain is a deal, but the judge has to accept it. Some pleas are conditional on the judge giving a specific sentence; others leave sentencing entirely to the judge. The judge can reject a deal if the proposed sentence doesn't fit the offense.
A guilty plea waives most appeal rights. Defendants give up their right to challenge the prosecution's evidence, the legality of their arrest, and many other issues.