Final answer:
The defense and prosecution have entered a plea bargain agreement.
Step-by-step explanation:
In legal proceedings, a plea bargain agreement occurs when the defendant agrees to plead guilty or admit to a lesser offense in exchange for a more lenient sentence or a dismissal of certain charges. In Mervin's case, the defense attorney, realizing the weakness of the case, advised Mervin to confess to the crime in exchange for a reduced sentence, which was agreed upon by the prosecution. This agreement allows for a quicker resolution to the case and potentially saves resources that would have been used in a full trial. Plea bargains are common in legal systems globally and serve as a negotiation between the defense and prosecution to reach a mutually acceptable resolution.
Correct Answer: plea bargain agreement