{"id":352291,"date":"2023-12-14T18:53:07","date_gmt":"2023-12-14T23:53:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/plea-bargaining-in-federal-courts.html"},"modified":"2026-09-29T08:51:16","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T13:51:16","slug":"plea-bargaining-in-federal-courts","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/plea-bargaining-in-federal-courts.html","title":{"rendered":"How Do Federal Plea Bargains Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How Do Federal Plea Bargains Work?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, 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\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

A federal <\/span>plea bargain<\/span> is an agreement between a defendant and a prosecutor to resolve a federal criminal case<\/span> without going to trial<\/span>. In most instances, the defendant agrees to plead guilty<\/span> in exchange for a benefit, such as dropped charges or a recommendation for a lighter sentence<\/span>. These agreements are heavily structured by the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure<\/span> and federal sentencing guidelines<\/span>, which define the types of deals prosecutors can offer and the judge’s role in approving them.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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A plea bargain<\/span> is an agreement where a defendant pleads guilty to resolve a criminal case without a trial. In the federal criminal justice system<\/span>, these agreements are common and highly structured. Because federal trials have a high conviction rate and strict sentencing guidelines, a federal criminal defense attorney<\/span> will carefully evaluate any plea offer<\/span> from the prosecution.<\/p>\n

This article explains how\u00a0federal <\/span>plea agreements<\/span>\u00a0work, the different types of pleas, and why a defendant might accept one instead of exercising their\u00a0right to a jury trial<\/span><\/a>. If you’re facing federal criminal charges<\/span> and have been offered a plea bargain<\/span>, having a defense attorney<\/a> for legal guidance is a good idea.<\/p>\n

What Is a Federal <\/span>Plea Agreement<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

A federal <\/span>plea agreement<\/span> is a type of plea bargain<\/span><\/a>. It\u2019s a formal contract between a federal prosecutor<\/span> (usually an Assistant U.S. Attorney) and a defendant. In this agreement, the defendant agrees to plead guilty<\/span> to one or more charges. In return, the prosecutor offers a concession, such as:<\/p>\n