This publication examines the legal nature of the judicial fine. Various approaches of researchers to determining its place within the system of criminal and criminal procedural law norms are considered. The interrelation of the judicial fine with the institution of the pre-trial cooperation agreement is analyzed. The author proposes a concept according to which the judicial fine can be regarded as a type of plea deal, representing a compromise between the state and the individual who committed a crime, provided that the legal conditions are met.