patteggiare

to plea bargain, to negotiate

verb paht-teh-JAH-reh Rare

Origin: From 'patto' (pact, deal) + -eggiare.

Usage Note

Patteggiare is a legal term for reaching a plea agreement (patteggiamento), and more broadly means to negotiate or strike a deal. It takes avere. In Italian criminal procedure, il patteggiamento is a formal rite by which the accused and prosecutor agree on a reduced sentence.

Examples

"L'imputato ha deciso di patteggiare la pena."

Natural Translation

The defendant decided to plea bargain the sentence.

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