Week 3 Project: Plea Bargain

Instructions

Week 3 Project: Plea Bargain

The plea bargain process is an integral part of the American criminal justice system. More than 90% of criminal cases are settled by plea bargain.

Plea bargains impact the system in many lesser-known ways, both positively and negatively. In a 4- to 5-page report in a Microsoft Word document, cover the following points:

• Explain the plea bargain process.
• What are the reasons why a prosecutor would agree to a plea bargain? Why not just go to trial?
• Why might the police officers that investigated the defendant be in favor of a plea bargain? Why might they be opposed?
• Why might the victim be in favor of a plea bargain? Why might he be opposed?
• Some might say that a plea bargain re-defines the defendant's criminal behavior. For instance, a defendant who was charged with attempted murder might agree to plead guilty to a reduced charge of aggravated assault. Aside from the lesser penalty, in what other ways might the defendant benefit from this re-definition of his behavior?
• One of the arguments against plea bargaining is that when a defendant pleads guilty, the court does not have the opportunity to scrutinize the police investigation in the case. Explain what is meant by this, and why it is important. (Hint: because a plea-bargained case will not proceed to trial, there will not be a discovery process).

Support your responses with examples.

Cite any sources in APA format.

Submission Details

Name your report SU_CRJ4003_W3_A2_LastName_FirstInitial.doc.

Submit your document to the Submissions Area by the due date assigned.

Running the essay through turnitin.com is a MUST!