Key Arguments For and Against Plea Bargaining in the Justice System
Arguments For Plea Bargaining
Saving Time and Resources
Time and resources are saved, which are two of the key justifications in favor of plea bargaining. By resolving cases through plea bargaining, the court system can commit its resources to more critical matters, enhancing the overall efficiency of the judicial system. Moreover, plea bargaining ensures convictions where the prosecution may not have sufficient evidence to win at trial (Worrall, 2018). This guarantees that criminals are held accountable for their conduct and deters them from committing additional offenses.
Reduced Sentencing
Another benefit of plea negotiating is that it results in a more lenient sentence. If a person is facing more serious charges but pleads guilty to a lesser crime, they are able to avoid a harsher punishment.
Arguments Against Plea Bargaining
Coerced Decisions
Defendants might feel pressured to accept a plea deal even if they are innocent in order to avoid the prospect of a higher penalty at trial. The legitimacy of our justice system is being put in jeopardy, and innocent people could be wrongfully convicted as a result. A false confession can result in a lenient sentence under a plea bargain. Defendants sometimes make false confessions of guilt in return for lighter sentences or plea deals (Worrall, 2018). This endangers the legitimacy of the judicial system and could lead to the wrongful conviction and punishment of innocent persons.
Potential Biases and Unfair Outcomes
The use of plea bargaining might lead to biased outcomes as well. When defendants with better legal representation are able to negotiate more lenient plea deals than those with less experienced counsel, this amounts to a case of unequal treatment under the law. Plea negotiations are also held behind closed doors, away from public scrutiny. This could lead to the public being kept in the dark regarding the nature and rationale of any plea bargains being given.
Reference
Worrall, J. L. (2018). Procedures in the justice system (3rd ed.). Pearson. Web.