{"id":352262,"date":"2023-10-10T00:13:35","date_gmt":"2023-10-10T05:13:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/defense-plea-bargains.html"},"modified":"2023-10-10T00:13:35","modified_gmt":"2023-10-10T05:13:35","slug":"defense-plea-bargains","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/defense-plea-bargains.html","title":{"rendered":"What Are the Benefits of Plea Bargains?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Are the Benefits of Plea Bargains?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Sarah Williams, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

The main benefit of a plea bargain is a lower impact from a criminal conviction. A plea bargain is a negotiation between the prosecution and defense. The criminal defendant enters an admission of guilt or a no-contest plea in exchange for a lenient sentence or reduction in the number of charges. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

As many as 90% to 95%<\/a> of all criminal cases are resolved by plea bargains<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Why are plea bargains<\/a> so popular with both prosecutors and defense attorneys? For prosecutors, it means not having to prosecute the case, which saves time and resources. For defense attorneys, it means potentially saving their clients from more severe charges and jail time.<\/p>\r\n

Finally, for defendants, it often means receiving a reduced sentence and a change from the original charges to a lesser criminal offense, resolving the matter quickly. But a defendant should discuss a plea deal with an attorney before deciding whether it’s the best option. Talk to a local criminal defense lawyer<\/a> about the benefits and consequences.<\/p>\r\n

This article explores the benefits of plea bargains<\/a>, including:<\/p>\r\n