What does the term "plea bargain" involve?

A plea bargain is a negotiation process that typically occurs in a criminal case where a defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a more lenient sentence or other considerations. This legal tool serves both the interests of the defendant, who may avoid a harsher penalty or a lengthy trial, and the prosecution, which can secure a conviction without the need for a trial, allowing them to allocate resources to other cases.

In many situations, plea bargains can lead to reduced charges which can result in lighter sentences than those a defendant might receive if convicted at trial. This practice helps to manage court dockets by reducing the number of cases that go to trial and can save time and costs for both the judicial system and the involved parties.

In contrast, the other options present scenarios that do not accurately describe plea bargaining. For instance, while it’s possible for a prosecution to drop charges, this is not the essence of a plea bargain, which involves a mutual agreement rather than a unilateral decision. Moreover, not all defendants are required to enter a plea bargain; it is an option available to them. Lastly, plea bargains pertain to criminal law, while the mention of civil lawsuits is outside the context of plea negotiations.