High case loads and limited resources force prosecutors to dispense with much of their caseload through a ___________. In most cases, defendant agrees to plead guilty for lesser charge and reduced sentence.

• A. Capital punishment
• B. Habeas corpus
• C. Plea bargain
• D. Grand jury indictment

Answer: (C)

When courts are crowded and resources are tight, resolving cases through negotiation becomes practical. This is achieved with a plea bargain, where the prosecutor and the defendant agree that the defendant will plead guilty in exchange for concessions. Typically, the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge or accepts a reduced sentence, and in return the prosecutor drops or pleads to fewer or less serious charges and/or recommends a lighter penalty. This speeds up the process, saves time and money for the system, and gives both sides a predictable outcome. The judge usually reviews and must approve the deal to ensure it’s voluntary and appropriate. This approach is not about punishment methods like capital punishment, nor about challenging detention through habeas corpus, nor about how charges are brought by a grand jury.