Which step follows negotiations in the PTA/Plea process?

• A. VIC Consultation
• B. Signatures by Parties
• C. Formal Submission
• D. Acceptance by the CA

Answer: (C)

After negotiations, the next essential action is to put the negotiated terms into a written plea agreement and formally submit that submission to the Convening Authority for review. This formal submission is the official step that moves the process forward, because it presents the negotiated disposition in a complete, reviewable package to the CA. Only once the CA has received and considered the submission can there be an actual decision to accept the agreement, which is the step that follows submission. Other elements like victim-impact consultation or the act of signing the documents are parts of preparing the agreement, but they do not represent the immediate next procedural action after negotiations in the standard flow.