What percentage of state cases are plea bargained?

• A. 98%
• B. 90%
• C. 94%
• D. 60%

Answer: (C)

Plea bargaining is by far the most common way cases are resolved in state courts. Prosecutors and defense attorneys routinely reach agreements where the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge or accepts a lighter sentence in exchange for waiving a trial. This arrangement saves time, reduces court backlog, and provides more predictable outcomes for everyone involved, which is why the vast majority of cases never go to trial. The figure commonly cited for state cases is about 94%, sitting in the mid‑90s range and reflecting that extensive use of plea deals. The other options don’t align as well with this well-established pattern: 98% is a bit higher than typically observed, and 60% is far too low to reflect current practice.