plea bargaining
noun /ˈpliː bɑːɡənɪŋ/
/ˈpliː bɑːrɡənɪŋ/
[uncountable] (law)- the process of making an arrangement in court by which a person admits to being guilty of a smaller crime in the hope of receiving less severe punishment for a more serious crime
- They received suspended prison sentences after plea bargaining by their lawyers.