If you make a plea bargain, the judge confirms the sentence that you and the prosecutor have jointly agreed on.

In the case of a plea bargain, the offences to which you plead guilty must be fewer in number and/or less serious than those with which you were charged. Also, the sentence should be shorter and less serious than the one you would have been at risk of getting if found guilty without a plea bargain.

If you are found guilty, you can plead for “mitigation,” or lessening of sentence. The following factors are considered as “mitigating factors,” or factors that can help reduce the sentence:

  • Remorse (if you pleaded guilty, cooperated with the police, made a confession and expressed regret for your actions)
  • Personal circumstances (your age in case you are very young or very old, whether you have dependents, your income and the adverse effect of the sentence on you and your dependents)
  • No previous convictions (if this was your first offence)