The working out of a mutually satisfactory disposition of a case by the prosecution and defense, frequently involving a plea to a lesser charge, is known as what?

The process where both the prosecution and defense collaborate to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution of a case is referred to as plea bargaining. This typically involves the defendant agreeing to plead guilty to a lesser charge than originally filed, or in exchange for a more lenient sentence. Plea bargaining helps to save time and resources for the court system, as it often leads to quicker resolutions compared to full trials. It allows both parties to negotiate terms that are acceptable, leading to a compromise that can benefit both the defendant and the prosecution in terms of certainty and efficiency.

Other options, while relevant to the legal field, do not describe this particular process. Arraignment refers specifically to the formal reading of charges against a defendant. Alternate dispute resolution encompasses various methods of settling disputes outside of court, but it does not focus specifically on criminal cases like plea bargaining does. Mediation is a form of dispute resolution where a neutral third party helps the disputing parties reach an agreement, which is also not specific to the context of criminal charges or negotiations between prosecution and defense. Thus, the term that clearly encapsulates the negotiation process in the criminal justice system is plea bargaining.