Do judges accept plea bargains?
Plea bargains are recommendations. Judges have the power to accept or reject plea bargains. However, judges will tell the defense whether the plea bargain is acceptable. Most judges also explain why a plea bargain is unacceptable. This permits the parties to try and negotiate a plea bargain that is acceptable to the court. If a plea bargain cannot be reached, most judges will permit the defendant to withdraw his or her guilty plea and proceed to trial.
