The Plea Bargain Is A Vital Part Of The Criminal Justice...

The plea bargain is a vital part of the criminal justice system today. Before the 1800s when an offender was caught there would be a trial and verdict. The plea bargain are for defendant s to plead guilty to a lesser offense or to at least one charge especially if there are multiple indictments. Defendants will plead guilty in hopes of leniency, and at least 90 percent of criminal cases end in a plea bargains. A majority of criminal cases in many jurisdictions will end in a plea bargaining. In the case North Carolina v. Alford, Mr. Alford is accused of Capital murder. The penalty for a guilty plea is imprisonment for life, however, if the defendant pleads innocent and the jury rules him guilty the death penalty attaches. Prior to the trial, Mr. Alford accepted a plea bargain. The bargaining requires him to plead guilty to murder in the second degree, the penalty of which is 30 years. Later on Alford does appeals his case, stating that his agreement to the bargain was involuntary as it was driven by fear of the death penalty. Mr. Alford s conviction was overturned however, the Supreme Court states that a guilty plea is a voluntary decision and is not compelled within his Fifth Amendment rights of Self-Incrimination. In a 6 to 3 decision, the Court then reverses the appeal and reinstates his conviction. This is a great example of how the option of plea bargaining continues to be controversial. This case shows how plea bargaining can work both in favor and negativelyShow MoreRelatedWhat is plea bargaining? Essay890 Words   |  4 Pageswith each other. In a nutshell, this is plea bargaining. Imagine that the person a few spots ahead of you is a prosecutor and the cashier is the defendant in court. It is the exact same thing. Plea bargaining is a term used when the two parties reach a mutual agreement in a court of law. Usually it involves a little bit of give, and a little bit of take from both parties, but in the end both sides are able to reach a mutual agreement. If people think of plea bargaining as a negative impact on ourRead MoreThe Crime Control Method : Plea Bargaining1126 Words   |  5 PagesControl Method: Plea Bargaining Renee Gainey The University of Alabama â€Æ' Abstract The criminal justice system acts on the crime control model; which focuses on the arrest, prosecution, and finally the conviction of criminals. Plea-bargaining exists in this model today as it speeds the process of a trial and conviction. With pleading guilty, criminals skip the process of a trial and faces their punishment. There are some benefits and negative aspects that come along with the practice of plea-bargainingRead MoreProsecutorial Athletes And Prosecutors : The Price Of A Deal?1195 Words   |  5 Pagesthe plea bargain or deal-making should end. While other scholars think prosecutors need more guidance and a watchful eye to stay on course. This argument is compounded when the media blows up on cases gone wrong or blatant prosecutorial misconduct. This paper will detail the problems plaguing the plea bargain and ways to improve it so it remains a vital prosecutorial tool. To begin we must first know what a plea bargain is. The legal definition of a plea bargain is a process whereby a criminal defendantRead MoreCrime And The Criminal Justice System2578 Words   |  11 PagesIn the criminal justice system, there are many different aspects and actors, such as the police, courts, and corrections, each with very different but equally important roles in handling crime and dealing with law-breakers. Each of these aspects play an equally important role in making sure the criminal justice system runs smoothly and effectively. 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