...Personally, I think plea-bargaining is not only beneficial but essential for our court system. Plea-bargaining speeds up the court process, gives defendants a way out of a trial, and gets the prosecutors a guilty plea. If we did not have the option to plea-bargain our court system would be slower than what it already is. Being able to work out cases without a trial keeps the caseload down (Bohm & Haley, 2014). We have a slow court system as it is with having to wait on arresting agencies to send over the arrest, then prosecutors reviewing the facts of the case to see if a viable case should be filed, to finally filing a case. This sometimes can take months to happen. Once the case is filed defense attorneys have to try and work out the case and...
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...Plea Bargaining Paper Mike Roberts CJS/251 03/14/16 University of Phoenix Plea Bargaining Paper Plea Bargaining Paper Plea bargaining utilized as a part of the criminal equity framework, yet at times applauded. A plea agreement is troublesome because they are not exactly a triumph for all included. Prosecutors are reluctant to offer conceded crooks lighter sentences than those approved by law. Summarily, most criminal litigants are not exactly energetic over the possibility of transparently acknowledging criminal conduct without the advantage of a trial. Regardless of the reservations of the gatherings, plea agreement resolves about the vast majority of criminal cases. The sheer numbers have brought on numerous lawful onlookers to scrutinize the legitimacy of wild plea bargaining. Define plea bargaining. Plea bargaining is an alteration of a criminal indictment used in the exchange for a guilty plea. Plea bargaining is an agreement made between a defendant and the prosecutor. This agreement can end a criminal case without going to trial. Relatively speaking, this agreement means a defendant agree with the charges and pleads guilty after a prosecutor decides to reject some charges or present a more idealistic prison sentencing. Distinguish between charge bargaining and sentence bargaining. Charge Bargaining is a well-known type of plea agreement; the respondent consents to accept a lesser allegation that gave more noteworthy charges will be released. A typical...
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...Plea Bargaining Paper Christina Petee POS 2041-American National Government May 8, 2016 Professor Richards Plea Bargaining Paper Introduction In my paper I will explain what plea bargaining is and why we have it. I will also explain why plea bargaining is important in the judicial system. So ask yourself, “What value or role does plea bargaining play in our judicial system?” Guilty is guilty, thus sentencing should be rather uniform in nature, shouldn't it? The complexities of law and illegal activities make plea bargaining a controversial though legally acceptable practice in the American legal system. Body Discuss the controversial practice of plea bargaining in the American judicial system. Should the nature of the crime affect the defendant's opportunity to plea bargain? I am going to discuss first what plea bargaining is and how it works. Government prosecutors, acting on behalf of the public, choose whether and how to pursue a case against criminal defendants who may have violated the law. In some cases, they may decide to offer a plea bargain, an arrangement in which a defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser offense than he or she was charged with, to avoid having to face trial for a more serious offense and a lengthier sentence. (Magleby 346) Magleby, David B., Paul Light, Christine Nemacheck....
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...“Plea Bargaining Paper” Presented to Ms. Samyra Hicks In partial fulfillment of CJS/251 Introduction to Criminal Court Systems Doniesha Robinson November 10, 2015 In this paper, I will attempt to define and discuss plea bargaining, distinguish between charge bargaining and sentence bargaining, compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of plea bargaining, and last but not least describe how plea bargaining reflects or thwarts the crime control and due process models of criminal justice. Define plea bargaining A plea bargain is defined as any form of agreement in a criminal case that is between the prosecutor and defendant and the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a certain charge in return for some reduction from the prosecutor. This can generally mean that the defendant will plead guilty to a charge that is not as serious of what they’re being charged with, or to one of many charges in order to have other charges dismissed from their case; or it could also mean that the defendant will plead guilty to the original criminal offense in return for a lighter sentence. Plea bargains 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. For example, in the legal system in the United States, a criminal suspect charged with a felony theft charge, the conviction of which would require incarceration in a state facility may be offered the chance to plead guilty...
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...Plea Bargaining For Company Management By Name Presented to ------------------------ Date Plea Bargaining A plea bargain is a negotiation between the defense attorney and the prosecutor that is presented to the defendant. Plea bargaining is vital in keeping the courts from being overwhelmed with trials. There are two different types of plea bargaining: charge bargaining and sentence bargaining. There are advantages and disadvantages to both the defendant and the prosecution in plea bargaining. Crime control advocates and due process advocates do not see plea bargaining in the same fashion. A guilty verdict doesn’t always result from a trial. It mostly results from a voluntary plea by the defendant. A plea bargain is when a prosecutor offers the defendant the opportunity to plead guilty to the original charge or a lesser charge for a lesser than the maximum sentence. For a plea bargain to be negotiated; the prosecutor needs to offer the defendant a reeducation of severity of the charges, reduction of the number of charges or a reduction in sentence. Unless one or more of these items are met, there will not be a plea bargain. A plea bargain is between the prosecutor and the defense attorney. Once the prosecutor presents the offer to the defense; it has to be taken to the defendant for approval. Once the pros and cons are discussed and the defendant agrees and accepts the plea, it is presented to the judge. Plea bargains...
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...Running Head: Plea Bargaining 1 Plea Bargaining Brandi D. Greenfield CJA/224 October 22, 2014 Ali Shakoor Running Head: Plea Bargaining 2 To many there are advantages and disadvantages to plea bargaining. Some may argue that if you accept a plea bargain you are admitting to the crime that you are being charged with, even if you are innocent or intend to plead not guilty. There is no true definition of plea bargaining but according to (Black’s Law Dictionary) plea bargaining is defined as “the process whereby the accused and the prosecutor in a criminal case work out a mutually satisfactory disposition of the case subject to court approval that usually involves the defendant’s pleading guilty to a lesser offense or to only or some of the counts of a multi-count indictment in return for a lighter sentence than the possible for the graver charge.” (University of Phoenix, 2011). There are two types of plea bargaining known as charge bargaining and sentence bargaining. “Charge bargaining refers to the prosecutor’s ability to negotiate with the defendant in terms of the charges that could be filed.” (University of Phoenix, 2011). “Sentence bargaining occurs when a defendant agrees...
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...Plea Bargaining Paper The criminal justice system seeks to protect the public and uphold laws, part of this process includes plea bargaining, plea bargaining is a process in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty in most cases in order to obtain a lesser charge to the crime as well as some leniency from the prosecutor(Schmalleger, Siegel, & Worrall, 2011). There are two types of plea bargains, they are called sentence bargaining and charge bargaining ("Nolo Law For All", 2014). Sentence bargaining is another process in which the courts practice, the major differences between sentence bargaining and charge bargaining are, sentence bargaining is when the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser sentence, in charge bargaining the prosecutor negotiates with the defendant to determine which charges are being filed against the defendant or the defendant pleads guilty to a less serious crime than the original charge(Schmalleger, Siegel, & Worrall, 2011). There are some advantages and disadvantages of plea bargaining, such as lesser charges, but in some cases the plea bargain gives the rights up of the defendant to make the prosecution prove charges against the defendant ("Nolo Law For All", 2014). Plea bargaining has a long history behind it, it has its problems and shortcomings, however it is still a highly recognized process in the courts today. Plea bargain is defined as a mutual understanding between the prosecutor and the defendant, this usually places the defendant...
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...Plea Bargaining Christopher Tucker CJS/251 May 12, 2016 Jason Stone Plea Bargaining When first forging America the concept of trial by jury was accepted as indication of new liberties. In the 19th century although people favored the trial by jury system they was found that this process was losing ground fast. In the early century it was perceived that, the guilty plea was substituting trial by jury more often although guilty plea was being made known it was found that more than three times as many criminal convictions had resulted from guilty pleas. Courts have used plea bargains in order to help keep the congested judicial system working as smoothly as possible. Plea bargains are known to assist the court, they also oppose our rights by violating a state statue. A plea bargain is an agreement to plead guilty to a lesser charge with less-stringent sentences. Types of Plea Bargaining The courts of justice use plea bargaining as a vital part of the court process. .According to Siegel, Schmalleger, and Worrall (2011), change bargaining is when the defendant and the prosecuting attorney negotiates the charges that would be filed (p. 318). This would include the defendant pleading guilty on multi-count charges that are considered lesser charge in return for a lighter sentence. Count bargaining is considered by many to fall under charge bargaining. The defendant claims responsibility to only one or more of the initial charges, and the prosecutor makes other charges disappear...
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...Plea Bargaining Paper Barry Jones CJA/224 May 21, 2014 John Chancler Plea Bargaining Paper Plea bargaining is essential in our courts for the simple reason that it allows for fewer cases going to trial. Approximately 90-95 of all cases are plea bargained. If not for plea bargaining our courts would always be tied up and the time a case could go to trial would take a very long time. Plea bargaining is just one part of our lengthy legal process, but it helps our courts out. Plea Bargaining A plea bargain is a negotiated agreement between a criminal defendant and a prosecutor in which the defendant agrees “guilty” or “no contest” to some crimes, along with possible conditions, such as attending Alcohol Anomalous classes in return for a reduction in the severity of the chargers, dismissal of some of the chargers, or some other type of benefit to the defendant (“Plea Bargaining Law and Legal Definitions”, 2015). The defendant must hold their end of the deal that was agreed upon such as pleading guilty on a specific date, and cooperating in the investigation of another offence or testifying against a co-defendant or the plea bargain may be revoked. Charge Bargaining and Sentence Bargaining Charge bargaining is when the prosecutor negotiates with the defendant in the terms of the chargers that could be filed against the defendant. Both parties must agree to the terms of the Bargaining and the...
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...Use of Plea Bargains John Miranda March 2, 2015 CJA/224 Dr. Linda Robinson There are very many different tools in which a prosecutor has on their belts. One of the most commonly used is called a plea bargain. It is a very useful tool yet it is sometimes scrutinized by its use. This is typically due to the fact that it usually involves the defendant getting a lesser punishment. So the question always arises if it is just for individuals who have committed a crime to receive this type of leniency. A plea bargain refers to an arrangement that is made between the prosecution and the defense to plead guilty to a lesser crime which would result in a lesser punishment. This would result in the defendant not having to deal with the costly expenses it would take to go to trial against the state, or federal government, depending on the type of crime committed. It also alleviates case workload, and saves time from the judicial system from having to take to trial every single case that is filed. Plea bargains are typically a private matter in which only the prosecution and defendant have discussions about the matter but recently due to public demand the victims have begun to have an input on the plea bargaining procedure which is typically only made public when it is announced in court. However, a judge does not have to accept any terms in which might have been agreed upon by both parties and may have all charges go to trial. There are generally only three types of plea bargains...
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...Plea Bargaining Glenn Friedlander CJA/224-Introduction to Criminal Court Systems October 22, 1013 Deborah Carr Plea Bargaining Plea Bargaining is a process in which the prosecutor and the defendant via the defense attorney comes to an agreement during a multi-charge case for the defendant to bargain with the prosecutor after being informed by his or her defense attorney of the consequences of one or more charges for a lesser sentence rather than going to trial and possibly receive the max sentence he or she are facing (Siegel, Schmalleger, & Worral, 2011). This is normally used when a defendant and his or her defense attorney knows there is no way for the defendant to get off based on the charges he or she is being charged with and the evidence against them. More often than none, the defendant’s attorney is highly aware of the possibility of losing the case based on the results of the investigation that was conducted after the crime was committed. This process is also designed to save tax payers money by avoiding a lengthy trial that was probable based on the crime committed. Charge Bargaining This is a process in which the prosecutor can negotiate with the defendant to make it seem like the prosecutor is on the defendant’s side. This is done by telling him or her they will avoid adding additional charges if the defendant chooses to plea bargain with the prosecutor at that particular time or whichever time the prosecutor provides for the defendant to discuss the...
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...| A Review of the Literature: Plea Bargaining and Ethics in the Criminal Justice System | | | Plea bargaining is a significant portion of today’s criminal justice system. As Chief Justice Burger stated, “The disposition of criminal charges by agreement between the prosecutor and the accused, sometimes loosely called ‘plea bargaining,’ is an essential component of the administration of justice. Properly administered, it is to be encouraged” (Santobello v. New York, 1971). The practice of plea bargaining has generated thoughtful ethical debate with effective arguments on both sides. Prior to offering an opinion, an understanding and comparison of the points of view regarding its use along with the purpose, types, and effects of plea bargaining must take place. A plea bargain is a criminal case pact wherein one side offers sentence prearrangement to the other in return for a guilty plea (Bikel, 2004). This permits those who have been suspected of serious criminal acts the opportunity to considerably lessen the charges and escape a more severe penalty. The prosecuting attorney will usually bargain this, or the initial charge will endure with a recommendation for a lighter punishment. With these forms of inducements, the courts save time and money swiftly and efficiently (Feješ, 2012). A plea bargain can be introduced by either the prosecuting or defense counsel with both sides negotiating throughout the process. This practice can be swift or entail...
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...Plea Bargaining Fredi Orellana cj224 Plea Bargaining plea bargains are a agreements between the defendants and the prosecutors where the defendants agrees to plead guilty to the charges for some or all of them for an trade like exchange for the prosecutor. The agreements allows prosecutors to look at other cases that need to be focused on more and use their time on them. It helps reduce the numbers of trails a judge has to oversee. In plea bargains usually the prosecutor makes an offer to reduce the punishments for the defendants and sometimes reduce the charges. They can also recommend that the defendants receive less time. It other cases sometimes the plea barging the defendants have to do favorable plea barging in exchange. It could be to testify in other cases, become an informer. Plea bargains depends state by state and what the judge can be limited too. Plea barging helps the criminal justice system to save time and resources it also can be viewed wrong. Some think that plea barging is a way for the defendant to get off easy off a crime, and others think that it undermines the constitutional rights. When a defendant accepts a plea barging they have to give up three of their rights that are found in the fifth and sixth amendments, “the right to a jury trial, the right against self-incrimination, and the right to confront hostile witnesses.” The plea barging is a voluntary decision by the defendant, and must have the state of mind knowing they are pleading guilty...
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...Plea Bargaining Melinda Romayor CJA/224 January 3, 2014 David Manweiler Plea Bargaining Plea bargaining is important in the criminal justice system. It is an essential tool that benefits not only the prosecutor but the defense attorney and the defendant. Plea bargaining allows attorneys to decide cases without needing the judge or a jury to decide the case. It can be beneficial to both the prosecutor and the defense attorney because the prosecutor will have a conviction and the defense attorney would have gained a lesser charge for his client. Throughout this paper I will lead you through the process of plea bargaining, the pros and cons, and how it reflects on crime control and the due process model. History of Plea Bargaining Plea bargaining can be dated back to the nineteenth century. One of the earliest cases reported Commonwealth v. Battis. In this case the defendant who was charged in a capital crime was given time to think about the guilty plea he had entered. The court was reluctant in accepting the plea and was satisfied only after insuring that there had been no tampering, promises, or any persuasions to the defendant. Following the Commonwealth v. Battis case there were other cases that began to be reported that had some level of plea bargaining. It seemed that plea bargaining became more common in the mid 1900’s. The reasoning behind it becoming more common was back in the early days of the English justice system, juries would hear up to 20 cases in a...
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...Trial and Plea Bargain The criminal justice system today has attributed to it a notion of it being a system “…of pleas, not a system of trials,” (Franze, A., Jeremy, M., 2012). This fact of the pervasiveness of plea bargaining in the legal system is commonly known, and subsequently one of the shared opinions of five of the four justices that ruled on the companion cases: Lafler v. Cooper, and Missouri v. Frye. To even further illustrate this point, “In the state courts in large cities in 2006, 95 percent of all convictions for felony defendants came through guilty pleas rather than trials; in federal courts in 2010, the proportion was 97 percent.” (Baum, 2013). These statistics should solidify the grounds of how prevalent plea-bargaining is in the legal system, as opposed to taking cases to trail. Subsequently, some judges specifically encourage plea-bargaining, and sometimes remand that plea-bargaining occur if it already hasn’t (Baum, 2013). The importance of plea-bargains in the criminal justice system can not be overstated. Keeping this in mind, the sixth amendment provides individuals the right to adequate and subsequently competent counsel during a trial. This concept has recently, in May of 2012, been extended to plea-bargaining along with trails. In May of 2012 the supreme court ruled on two cases that would create a precedent for many future cases involving plea deals. Lafler v. Cooper was a case in which the defendants’ attorney provided bad legal advice...
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