A plea agreement, also referred to as a plea bargain, is a negotiated outcome. This is when a defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge or in exchange for a reduced or deferred sentence. The majority of criminal defense cases are resolved this way. This may be a positive outcome, particularly if a felony can be reduced to a misdemeanor, or if penalties can be reduced to avoid time behind bars. A deferred sentence, in particular, could result in charges ultimately being dismissed if the terms of the deferral are met. An experienced lawyer will help you pursue the best possible plea agreement or push for a trial.