Top court proposes test of plea bargaining

A proposal to test plea bargaining in criminal cases is being considered by China's top legislative body.

The Standing Committee of National People's Congress is considering a proposal from the Supreme People's Court and top prosecutors to create a pilot program under which criminal defendants would be allowed to voluntarily plead guilty before trial in exchange for lighter punishments.

The proposal, which was submitted on Monday, said plea bargains would lighten the burden on courts in processing relatively minor cases, fight crime efficiently and protect human rights.