Criminal Justice Practice Exam

Your textbook identifies three basic types of plea bargaining. Which of the following is NOT one of these?

1. a defendant pleads guilty to one charge for the dropping of other charges

2. a defendant may plead guilty to a lesser offense

3. a defendant pleads guilty for the mercy of the court

4. a defendant may receive a lighter sentence at prosecutor's request

The correct answer is: a defendant pleads guilty for the mercy of the court

The identification of plea bargaining types typically categorizes them based on specific agreements made between the defendant and the prosecution. The choice that is not recognized as one of the basic types is when a defendant pleads guilty for the mercy of the court. This option implies that the plea bargain is solely based on the hope for leniency, which does not constitute a formal type of bargain or agreement. In contrast, the other selections reflect recognized practices in plea bargaining. When a defendant pleads guilty to one charge in exchange for other charges being dropped, this exemplifies charge bargaining. Similarly, pleading guilty to a lesser offense is a common maneuver known as count bargaining. Additionally, when a defendant receives a lighter sentence at the prosecutor's request represents a sentencing agreement, which is another established form of plea negotiation. Therefore, the correct answer emphasizes that the act of pleading for mercy does not align with the standard categorization of plea agreements, which involve specific negotiations and terms explicitly agreed upon by both the prosecution and the defendant.