An agreement resolving a criminal case by guilty plea, usually in exchange for reduced charges or a sentencing concession.
A plea bargain resolves a criminal case by agreement rather than trial. In exchange for a guilty plea the prosecution may reduce or drop charges, or agree to recommend a particular sentence. The great majority of criminal cases in the United States end this way.
A guilty plea gives up several constitutional rights at once - trial, the jury, confronting witnesses, and the privilege against self-incrimination - so the court must confirm on the record that the plea is voluntary and that the defendant understands what is being given up and what the consequences are.
Consequences beyond the sentence are frequently the part that is underestimated: immigration effects, professional licensing, firearm rights and employment consequences can outlast the sentence itself. Whether a judge is bound by an agreed sentence recommendation also depends on the type of agreement.
A plea is one of the least reversible decisions in the legal system, and evaluating an offer requires knowing the strength of the evidence and the realistic alternatives - which is exactly what defence counsel is for. Collateral consequences, particularly immigration ones, are worth raising explicitly rather than assuming they were considered.
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