From The Crime Report:
Plea bargaining is, in theory, intended to serve as an integral part of our criminal legal system — rewarding those who quickly accept responsibility for their crimes with more lenient sentences, making efficient use of resources, and sparing both victims and defendants the stress of a trial.
But it too often ends up in tension with the notion of justice, punishing those who exercise their constitutional right to trial and even, at times, coercing innocent individuals to enter a plea of guilty.
This concerning “trial penalty” – the difference between the sentence attached to a plea offer versus the much greater sentence individuals often receive if convicted following a trial – prompted the recent launch of the Trial Penalty Coalition. This broad and diverse group of organizations and individuals – which includes Fair and Just Prosecution (FJP) – has united around ending these coercive and unjust practices. Continue reading >>>
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