Which process involves the defendant agreeing to plead guilty to a lesser offense?

The process that involves the defendant agreeing to plead guilty to a lesser offense is known as plea bargaining. This is a negotiation process between the defendant and the prosecution, where the defendant may accept a plea to a lesser charge in exchange for a lighter sentence or the dismissal of other charges.

Plea bargaining serves multiple purposes in the criminal justice system. It helps to reduce the court's caseload by avoiding protracted trials and allows defendants to gain some measure of leniency in their sentencing. It also allows both parties to achieve a resolution without the unpredictability of a jury trial, which can lead to either a conviction, a harsher sentence, or an acquittal.

In contrast, arbitration and mediation are alternative dispute resolution methods often used in civil cases rather than criminal matters. Arbitration involves a third party making a binding decision, while mediation is a facilitative process where a mediator helps both parties come to a mutually agreeable solution. Judicial override refers to a judge's authority to change a jury's sentencing recommendation, which is unrelated to the process of a defendant negotiating a plea.