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... > social science subjects > criminology and criminal justice > criminology > law and society > psychology and law > trial processes > plea
... > social science subjects > politics and international relations > political science > law and courts > law and society > psychology and law > trial processes > plea
... > social science subjects > criminology and criminal justice > criminology > social history of crime > courts, corrections, punishments > trials > trial processes > plea
... > social science subjects > criminology and criminal justice > criminal justice > judicial systems > trials > trial processes > plea
... > social science subjects > politics and international relations > political science > democracy and democratization > decision making in democracies > judicial systems > trials > trial processes > plea

Preferred term

plea  

Definition

  • A plea is an agreement reached by the prosecution and defense in a criminal case in which the defendant admits guilt rather than pursuing a trial in exchange for a reduction in charges (charge bargaining) or a recommendation for a lesser sentence (sentence bargaining). Many scholars believe that pleas originated as a means to deal with burgeoning caseloads in the 19th and 20th centuries in order to increase efficiency. [Source: The Social History of Crime and Punishment in America: An Encylopedia; Plea]

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https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/plea

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