Wiktionary
alt. (context US legal English) An agreement between a defendant and the prosecution in which the defendant agrees to a plea such as guilty or nolo contendere to a lesser charge rather than contesting a greater charge. n. (context US legal English) An agreement between a defendant and the prosecution in which the defendant agrees to a plea such as guilty or nolo contendere to a lesser charge rather than contesting a greater charge. vb. (context US legal English) To make an agreement in which a defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge instead of not guilty to a greater one.
WordNet
v. agree to plead guilty in return for a lesser charge; "If he plea-bargains, he will be sent to a medium-security prison for 8 years"
Usage examples of "plea-bargain".
Criminal charges have been filed against the prosecutor in Maricopa County on the MIP plea-bargaining case.
Think of the many millions of dollars trickling into the local economy as a result of every corruption probegas for the undercover cars, videotapes for the surveillance cameras, file cabinets for the plea-bargain agreements.
Especially since the penalties for dealing in Orbs cannot be plea-bargained.
Nevertheless, benevolent plea-bargaining has continued at a breakneck pace, sometimes with tragic consequences.
Scott Brainerd had plea-bargained to a charge of kidnapping and conspiracy, which the government finally agreed to, since the Feds could find no solid proof of his activity in arms dealing.
The mail fraud brought a grand jury indictment which was eventually dismissed and the aggravated assault plea-bargained to a misdemeanor and petty fine.