Plea bargaining is the process in which the prosecution and defense reach an agreement to lower the criminal charge and penalties, in exchange for a “plea” from the defendant. A “plea” usually involves some admission of guilt from the defendant, but not always. Plea bargaining is an art, not an exact science. A defense attorney must be able to make a skillful argument to the prosecutor or judge in order to gain a favorable plea bargain, taking into account his client’s unique circumstances. A good defense attorney must also have the knowledge and experience to recognize what is a fair plea bargain and what isn’t. He must also be ready to reject an unfair plea bargain and fight the case.
