Why do they do plea deals?

Why do they do plea deals?

A plea bargain allows both parties to avoid a lengthy criminal trial and may allow criminal defendants to avoid the risk of conviction at trial on a more serious charge. In charge bargaining, defendants plead guilty to a less serious crime than the original charge that was filed against them.

Why US criminal courts are so dependent on plea bargaining?

In cases that involve organized crime, prosecutors can use plea bargains to advance the case, extracting information from low-level offenders and pushing further up the criminal hierarchy. Pleas can also provide genuinely good deals to people facing long prison sentences.

What would happen if we banned plea bargaining?

The government would need 100 times the existing number of courtrooms, judges, clerks, court officers, prosecutors and jury pools. If we somehow outlawed plea bargaining tomorrow, there’s no way the government at any level could afford to try and imprison everyone that gets arrested.

Is plea bargaining good or bad?

The Pros of Plea Bargaining If you can have some of your charges reduced or dismissed, you may possibly avoid a lengthy prison sentence and hefty fines. Plea bargaining may also result in a quicker final decision from the judge and jury and can give you a greater sense of certainty.

How does the plea bargain process work?

Plea bargaining usually involves the defendant’s pleading guilty to a lesser charge, or to only one of several charges. It also may involve a guilty plea as charged, with the prosecution recommending leniency in sentencing. The judge, however, is not bound to follow the prosecution’s recommendation.

What can be negotiated in a plea bargain?

The Areas of Negotiation in Plea Bargaining: Overview It involves a negotiation of the specific criminal charges (or counts) that the defendant will face at trial. Usually, in return for a plea of “guilty” to a lesser charge, a prosecutor will dismiss the higher or other charge(s) or counts.