Why would you plea bargain?

To get a reduced sentence for pleading guilty to a 'lesser' offense - especially if you (or your attorney) believes that your case will go against you at trial. It can work like this: You committed a burglary (felony crime) and are arrested and charged - you are thinking of going to trial but you or your attorney aren't too sure you'll beat it and you'll be sentenced to a felony term in prison for the crime. You offer to plead guilty to a 'lesser' offense' (e.g.- 'Unlawful Entry' and 'Taking Property Without Right' both are misdemeanor offenses). The state saves itself the work and the cost of a trial but gets a conviction which sends you to jail, and you wind up with a reduced sentence, for committing misdemeanor offenses, instead of facing felony 'hard time' in prison. Except for the fact that you were dumb enough to commit the crime in the first place, it is a win-win situation for all concerned.