an agreement between the prosecution and defence, sometimes including the judge, in which the accused agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge in return for more serious charges being dropped
Examples of 'plea agreement' in a sentence
plea agreement
The plea agreement must be approved by the court.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He faced a maximum term of five years but reached a plea agreement.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
One defendant is awaiting sentencing on a plea agreement.
Houston Chronicle (2001)
Under a plea agreement, prosecutors agreed to drop four other charges.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
She faces six to nine months in jail as part of her plea agreement.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He entered into a plea agreement under which he will serve 12 years in federal prison for securities fraud, money laundering and tax evasion.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
He entered his plea by mail under a plea agreement closing the case and avoiding a court appearance.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Under a plea agreement during the trial he would have been sentenced to the 42 days he had already served in jail under psychiatric evaluation.