California legal term
plea bargaining in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “plea bargaining” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.
What does “plea bargaining” mean in California criminal law?
“plea bargaining” means any bargaining, negotiation, or discussion between a criminal defendant, or their counsel, and a prosecuting attorney or judge, whereby the defendant agrees to plead guilty or nolo contendere, in exchange for any promises, commitments, concessions, assurances, or consideration by the prosecuting attorney or judge relating to any charge against the defendant or to the sentencing of the defendant. (Cal. Penal Code § 1192.7)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.