Any time he wishes. The judge is not bound in any way by any agreements entered into between the prosecutor and the defense counsel.
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A federal judge can refuse a plea bargain if it does not meet legal requirements, if it is not in the best interest of justice or if the terms of the agreement are not fair or just. Judges have discretion to accept or reject plea bargains based on these factors.
Approximately 90% of criminal cases result in guilty pleas rather than going to trial. This is because pleading guilty often leads to a reduced sentence as part of a plea bargain.
A plea bargain may be pursued to lessen potential penalties and consequences, expedite the legal process, avoid a trial, or secure a more favorable outcome given the circumstances of the case. It can also provide a level of certainty in the outcome instead of risking an uncertain verdict at trial.