Casinos and Used Car Sales: The Criminal Justice System

Plea Bargaining, part 5 of 12

As you can see, the great majority of criminal cases are not resolved in a Jury Trial like we see on television in a one hour show. Instead most cases are resolved through negotiations between the lawyer and prosecutor. This is called Plea Negotiation.

In these negotiations, lawyers and prosecutors use Facts, Laws, rules and arguments to convince the other of their position. These negotiations are sort of confidential so each side can talk about facts that help or hurt their side without having them be held against them in court.

Because most cases never see the light of day in a trial, there are good, bad and ugly Plea Bargains. Depending on the facts of each case. Relying solely on plea comparison can lead to good or drastic results.