What does the term "plea bargain" entail?

The term "plea bargain" refers to an agreement in which a defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a more lenient sentence or for the prosecutor to drop other charges. This process serves several purposes: it helps to reduce the court's caseload, allows the defendant to receive a potentially lighter punishment than they might have received if convicted at trial, and often provides a measure of certainty and closure for both the defendant and the prosecution.

In this context, the concept of a plea bargain is essential because it facilitates negotiations between the defense and the prosecution, allowing both sides to reach an agreement without undergoing the time and expense of a full trial. The outcome of such negotiations is typically more favorable for the defendant than proceeding to trial, where the risks of a harsher sentence loom larger.

The other options presented do not accurately define a plea bargain. A form of trial where no witnesses are called does not represent the plea bargain process; instead, it refers to a different aspect of legal proceedings. The ability to appeal a recent verdict is a legal right of the defendant but is unrelated to the initial bargaining process. Similarly, a request for a retrial based on new evidence pertains to post-conviction procedures and is not linked to