what is a proffer agreement

A proffer agreement is a written agreement between a prosecutor and a defendant or prospective witness in U.S. criminal law. It allows the defendant or witness to give the prosecutor information about an alleged crime while limiting the prosecutors ability to use that information against them in future criminal proceedings. As part of the agreement, the subject may agree to create a statement, known as a proffer statement, setting out their testimony. Proffer agreements are not a promise of absolute immunity or a plea agreement, but an agreement between the defendant and the government for a certain level of "use immunity". Defendants who cooperate might get a less severe sentence recommendation in exchange for their cooperation. The government will agree to provide the defendant with several important benefits in exchange for receiving valuable and true information in order for the defendant to enter the proffer agreement.