Pros and Cons of Plea Bargaining?

[suezzle]

Ok, I'm writing a paper about the pros and cons of Plea Bargaining. I know the pros and cons in my head, but trying to write them out on paper is another thing (Especially when I need 10 pages worth).

I will vote the best answer to this question based on:

*Whoever can provide the most straight-forward list of pros and cons to plea bargaining.

Sounds simple enough, but I stress - I don't want to have to read a 5 page article to find these points. I want each seperate point staring me right in the face, from the get-go. I can easily write about why/how/examples that backup each pro or con myself. I just need to gather my arguments and get them orgainzed before I start my paper.

You can make the list yourself, or link me to a site that has them clearly laid out.

***Here's how I'd PREFER (not neccessary though) to have the points categorized:

Pros to the Defendant
Pros to the criminal justice system

Cons to the Defendant
Cons to the criminal justice system

Thx!

[skycat]

WOW ! Is this how kids do their homework these days.

[davidmi711]

Pros to the Defendant
1. Known outcome
2. Less cost of defense

Pros to the criminal justice system
1. Known outcome
2. Hard to prosecute case gets *some* punishment. Better to get 5 years for manslaughter than to walk for murder.
3. Less cost than trial

Cons to the Defendant
1. May end up serving time for a crime they did not commit.
2. No chance to walk.

Cons to the criminal justice system
1. Sentence does not often match the original crime.

[xuserx2000]

pros: saves the court time and money

cons: the full measure of the law is not upheld...the sentencing is not equal to the crime. Other defendants get a break while the others get the shaft even though they are equally guilty.