What is the primary purpose of a plea bargain?

The primary purpose of a plea bargain is to exchange guilty pleas for leniency. This legal agreement allows a defendant to plead guilty to a lesser charge or receive a reduced sentence in exchange for their guilty plea, which helps to expedite the legal process. It not only alleviates the burden on the court system by reducing the number of cases that go to trial but also gives defendants the opportunity to potentially mitigate the consequences they face.

In many cases, plea bargains are advantageous for both the prosecution and the defense; the prosecution secures a conviction without the uncertainties and expenses associated with a trial, while the defense might benefit from lesser charges or sentences, reducing the potential for harsher penalties that could arise from a trial. This mutual agreement highlights the compromise inherent in plea bargaining, illustrating its primary function in the criminal justice system.