What is the purpose of a plea bargain?

A plea bargain is an agreement in a criminal case where the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a more lenient sentence or the dropping of related charges. This process is often beneficial for both the defendant and the prosecution. For the defendant, it can result in reduced penalties, while for the prosecution, it conserves judicial resources and avoids the uncertainty of a trial.

The primary purpose of a plea bargain is to facilitate a resolution of the case without the need for a full trial, promoting efficiency in the legal system. By allowing defendants to accept responsibility for lesser offenses, plea bargains maintain court schedules and enable justice to be served in a more expedited manner.

In contrast, the other choices focus on aspects that do not align with the nature or function of plea bargains. Ensuring a trial by jury is not a goal of a plea bargain; instead, the plea process typically allows defendants to forego that trial. Options discussing delays or enhancing severity of charges misrepresent the fundamental aim of plea negotiations, which center around achieving a mutually satisfactory resolution rather than prolonging proceedings or increasing penalties.