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?
Felony Voting Jonathan Vilcapoma California State University Fresno TOPIC: Felony Voting SPECIFIC PURPOSE: The purpose of this speech is to persuade others about that felony voting should be allowed. INTRODUCTION: Today ill be going over on why we should let felons vote. Felons have made mistakes in their life at a point where they might or might not regret. There punishment can be over a year sentence to jail, and losing their privilege to vote for mayor, president, or any sort of election. They are just like us, but for what they have done to become a felon must have been hard for them to make a choice like that.
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.
At times, there are even attempts through the legal system to have their sentences reduced and released on “good behavior”. James Hamm, like any other murderer was sentenced for first degree murder and sent to prison. Unlike many offenders, James took a turn for the better. He accepted full responsibility in taking an innocent life, and as a result, made positive steps towards becoming a better person, perhaps both for himself and for society. While incarcerated, James registered in several courses that improve self worth as well as every work program the prison had to offer.
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.
According to the Legal Resource Library, “The biggest drawback to plea bargaining is for the innocent defendant who decides to plead guilty to a lesser charge in order to avoid the risk that he or she will be found guilty at trial.” Plea bargaining requires the defendant to waive three rights that he/she is normally protected by until the Fifth and Sixth Amendments: the right to a jury trial, the right against self-incrimination, and the right to confront hostile witnesses. (Cornell.edu) Some people may try to argue that plea bargaining in unconstitutional, however, this argument has been repeatedly overruled by the Supreme Court. There are a lot of controversial issues surrounding plea bargaining, and victims’ rights groups are arguing that the victim should have inputs and a voice into the bargain that is being established between the prosecutor and the defendant. Victim rights activists also feel that defendants undermine the criminal justice system in its entirety and defendants are let off too
The death penalty must remain a valid source of punishment because with the court system we have today, most sentenced for murder do not receive a life sentence and are released back into the public after a couple years. Serving a life sentence only allows a criminal the opportunity of having their sentenced reduced. A firm and corrected death penalty system prevents criminals from ever plaguing the streets
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
Undermines: To weaken or ware away Contention 01: Plea Bargaining gives us the right to speedy trial One of our constitutional rights as Americans to a speedy trial. While this right can be waived by a defendant, it must be provided to him unless he explicitly declines it. The Criminal Justice System would collapse; we would see people being forced to wait months, even years. To have their cases heard, thus violating their constitutional rights. As such, given the current level of judicial resources, plea bargains are absolutely necessary and indeed beneficial in the quest to uphold all constitutional rights.
Pros and Cons of Plea Bargaining Everyday 90% of all criminal cases resolve in some sort of agreement to a plea, leaving about 10% going to actual trial. With the huge numbers favoring a plea there must be a reason and more importantly what is the better option for people either accurately accused or falsely accused of a crime. Judges have incentives in agreeing to plea-bargaining because of the lack of judges available to hear trials compared against the ever-growing numbers of criminal cases and the rise of criminals serving time in prison. Judges also realize the amount of money needed to fund a criminal trial is much more than agreeing on a plea, even if that plea is only a fraction of the time the offender would face in prison if convicted