What is a "plea bargain"?

A "plea bargain" refers to a negotiation in which a defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge, typically in exchange for a reduction in the sentence or other concessions from the prosecutor. This process often helps to expedite the legal proceedings by reaching a resolution without the need for a lengthy trial. It serves the interests of both the defendant, who may receive a lighter sentence, and the prosecution, which can secure a conviction without the uncertainties of trial.

In this context, the other choices do not accurately capture the nature of a plea bargain. An agreement to go to trial does not involve a guilty plea, and thus does not relate to plea bargaining. Negotiations for reduced bail pertain to pre-trial conditions rather than the plea process itself. Lastly, agreements made between co-defendants typically relate to their respective defenses or cooperation but aren't classified as plea bargains in the legal sense. Therefore, the definition regarding pleading guilty to a lesser charge distinctly identifies what a plea bargain entails.