Why are some cases plea bargained?
There are not enough prosecutors, judges, courtrooms or trial days on the calendar to put all the thousands of cases every year in Kansas City through a trial. For those defendants taken to trial, or for those who plead guilty before a trial, there are not enough jail cells in the city to hold them. These practical demands, plus the defendant’s speedy trial rights, the seriousness of the cases, the strengths or weaknesses of cases, the victim’s wishes, public safety, punishment, rehabilitation and deterrence are all interests that are considered by the prosecutor when deciding how to proceed. A plea agreement is always designed to balance these competing interests. A plea may include jail time, probation, a fine, restitution or enrollment in a school or program directed at correcting behaviors or preventing repeat offenses. Most cases are resolved in a relatively short time by the defendant’s plea — many times a plea to the charged offense.
There are not enough prosecutors, judges, courtrooms, or trial days on the calendar to put every criminal case issued in Michigan before a jury. For those defendants taken to trial, or for those who plead guilty before a trial, there are not enough jail cells in the state to hold them. These practical demands, plus the defendant’s speedy trial rights, the seriousness of the cases, the strengths or weaknesses of cases, the victim’s wishes, public safety, punishment, rehabilitation, and deterrence are all interests that are considered by the Prosecutor when deciding how to proceed. A plea agreement is always designed to balance these competing interests. Most cases are resolved in a relatively short time by the defendant’s plea — many times a plea to the charged offense.
There are not enough prosecutors, judges, courtrooms, or trial days on the calendar to put the thousands of cases every year in Jefferson County before a jury. For those defendants taken to trial, or for those who plead guilty before a trial, there are not enough jail cells in the state to hold them. These practical demands, plus the defendant’s speedy trial rights, the seriousness of the cases, the strengths or weaknesses of cases, the victim’s wishes, public safety, punishment, rehabilitation, and deterrence are all interests that are considered by the prosecutor when deciding how to proceed. A plea agreement is always designed to balance these competing interests. Most cases are resolved in a relatively short time by the defendant’s plea of guilty–often to the charged offense(s).
