Plea bargain

A plea bargain is a deal struck between prosecutors and defendants in a criminal case. A plea bargain requires the defendant to plead guilty, thereby waiving his right to a trial. It may also require him to waive his right to appeal his sentence, to challenge forfeiture of his assets, or to raise certain arguments at sentencing. It may require him to testify against another defendant; such "substantial assistance" in the investigation or prosecution of another person can make a defendant eligible for major sentencing reductions pursuant to U.S.S.G. §5K1.1. Because the practice of plea bargaining has become so widespread, only a small percentage of cases go to trial.