plea bargaining noun
[noncount] : a process in which a person who is accused of a crime is allowed to say that he or she is guilty of a less serious crime in order to be given a less severe punishment
▪ As a result of plea bargaining, he would not be sentenced to death.
▪ As a result of plea bargaining, he would not be sentenced to death.
— plea bargain noun, plural ∼ -gains [count]
▪ She could confess and be granted a plea bargain. ▪ He refused to accept a plea bargain.
▪ She could confess and be granted a plea bargain. ▪ He refused to accept a plea bargain.
— plea–bargain verb, plea–bargains; plea–bargained; plea–bargaining [no obj]
▪ He plea-bargained to avoid spending time in jail.
▪ He plea-bargained to avoid spending time in jail.
