A plea bargain can help a prosecutor by it saves the court valuable time for high-priority cases. Also it can help a prosecutor because then don’t have go through a trial if they have a lot of other cases. A plea bargain can also help a prosecutor because if the defendant takes the deal it shows that they are taking responsibility for the crime. When it comes to the defendant a plea bargain can help by the defendant could get a lesser sentence if they plead guilty to the crime the committed. Also it can help the defendant by not making them sit though a trial.
Criminal justice funnel is the process through which the number of criminal matters that are pending is decreased until only a small percentage of cases needs to be resolved by trial advocacy and incarceration (www.ehow.com ). The benefits of criminal justice funnel prevent the criminal system from becoming overburdened. Nevertheless, due to the amount of trials and offenders who are incarcerated, this system saves man hours and money. What are the effects of criminal justice funnel? One of the effects of criminal justice system is cases are often dismiss or pleas are bargained for which is due to lack of evidence against defendants, less-serious offenders are put on probation where they are incarcerated only upon violation of probation or committing another crime.
The first time offender might get a second chance with a non-conviction program and be scared straight. The benefits of the bargaining system here are obvious. While most prosecutors do consider victims of the crime in bargaining, it is a case by case basis on whether or not the prosecutor will consult the victim before reaching a bargain with the defendant. It is likely that the bargaining system will continue to be practiced within our criminal system for a long time to come. I disagree with plea bargaining for the fact that if they did something once and get a plea bargain many will think of it as they got away with something, also they may think if they do something again they will think they can get another plea bargain deal.
In the end the judicial system saves money, both with the time of trials and appeals, as well as reduced charges or sentences that ultimately lead to less time the tax payer has to pay for incarceration. It is true that the rights of the accused are essential within the Constitution, but in my opinion I feel that the accused have given up their right in using plea bargaining and admitting their guilt. If an individual wishes to invoke their rights guaranteed by the Constitution they have the right to all the liberties that are included in that type of trial. Yet, if an individual pleads guilty and wishes to plea bargain, this process should take precedent over the Constitutional right that has been given up with the provision that the accused could retain that right if they so desired. In the end, plea bargaining is an effective tool both for law enforcement, the prosecution, the judicial system, and can benefit the accused as well.
The prosecutors work load is also reduced as a result of a plea bargain and thus they are accorded a chance to concentrate on other cases that can not be settled through plea bargaining. Besides the prosecutor, the judge also reaps the benefit of plea bargaining. This is because plea bargaining ensures speedy conclusion of cases that would have otherwise taken long to conclude hence ensuring movement of the system as a whole. Finally, it helps in reducing congestion in jails and prisons as a result of some of the defendants receiving suspended sentences from their plea bargains (McConnell, Michael & Chester,
Another major point is that our justice system shows more sympathy for criminals than it does victims. DNA testing and other methods of modern crime scene science can now effectively eliminate almost all uncertainty as to a person's guilt or innocence. Prisoner parole or escapes can give criminals another chance to kill. This contributes to the problem of overpopulation in the prison system. Has one ever thought of the victim’s family when the whole court cases are going on?
While plea bargaining is beneficial mostly for the state, it can sometimes be a curse for a defendant. For example, an innocent person may have some damning evidence against him or her even he or she is innocent. The prosecution will often pressure the defendant into believing that the jury will not find him not guilty. Therefore, the defendant will agree to the plea bargain and opt for a lesser sentence believing him or she does not have a chance of winning with a trial by jury. “Statistics show that 94% of state criminal cases and slightly more than 96% of federal criminal cases are eventually resolved through a negotiated plea.” (Schmalleger
When a defendant accepts a plea bargain the defense team has the advantage of less work with the same pay that he or she would have received if the case had gone to trial, prosecutors get the guilty plea that he or she was working to obtain, and the court system can move through cases at a faster pace. These advantages allow the court system to stay ahead of the mounting cases presented, making the trial process faster. Prisons and other incarceration facilities can also see a reduction of criminals being incarcerated, which helps with overcrowding in these facilities.Plea bargains have advantages that affect all players in the criminal justice system but disadvantages are also present in this process. Critics of the plea bargain will suggest
I do believe we should not coddle them with taxpayer treatment programs that a lot of them enter and exit repeatedly. But, on the other hand, if those treatment centers do offer some sort of success, then it a good thing to offer them in hopes of the offenders not depending on drugs and having to commit crimes to get those drugs thus reducing crime, the courts, jails, and prison population. Drug treatment programs are less expensive than prisons and more effective at helping people turn their lives around. Many of the programs available to inmates are provided by organizations like AA and NA, which send volunteers into the prisons. Most of the volunteers are previous offenders who have changed their lives and now want to help other change their life.
The "Find Law" (2014) website state the benefits to a bargain being offered to the defense would be that it would cut down on overcrowding in the prisons, as well as in the courtrooms. By offering a plea bargain agreements, the prosecution reduces the work and case load on themselves as well as the rest of the court work group. The defense would also save on money and time on the criminal trial procedures. The defendant would benefit from a plea bargain with a lesser sentence having to be served, possibly even no jail time in return for time served or community service or some other form of alternative sentencing. A plea bargain can also result in a lesser charge or reduction of multiple charges being brought on to the defendant which may in turn carry a harsher sentence ("Find Law," 2014).