1. (criminal law) a negotiation in which the defendant agrees to enter a plea of guilty to a lesser charge and the prosecutor agrees to drop a more serious charge
   "plea bargaining helps to stop the courts becoming congested";
   - plea bargain

1. (law) 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"

Type of: agree, bargaining

Encyclopedia: Plea bargaining