Which term describes the legal agreement to avoid trial?

The term that describes the legal agreement to avoid trial is a plea deal. A plea deal is an arrangement between the defendant and the prosecution in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge or to receive a lighter sentence in exchange for waiving the right to a trial. This agreement helps to streamline the judicial process, reduce the court's caseload, and provide a measure of certainty for both the prosecution and the defense regarding the outcome of a case.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture this concept. A plea amendment refers to a change in the original plea entered by the defendant, a plea reduction pertains to decreasing the charges or severity of the plea during negotiations, and a plea exception is not a recognized term in this context. Therefore, the phrase "plea deal" most accurately conveys the essence of a legal agreement to avoid going to trial.