The Silent Adjudication: How Plea Bargains Overwhelm the American Justice System

Introduction: The Pervasive Role of Plea Bargaining

Plea bargaining has become a cornerstone of the American criminal justice system, resolving the vast majority of cases without proceeding to trial. This practice involves defendants agreeing to plead guilty to lesser charges or accepting reduced sentences in exchange for foregoing their right to a trial. While this mechanism offers efficiency and resource conservation, it also raises significant concerns about fairness, coercion, and the potential for wrongful convictions.

Historical Evolution of Plea Bargaining

The roots of plea bargaining in the United States trace back to the 19th century, gaining prominence in the 1920s as courts sought methods to expedite case resolutions amid increasing caseloads. Initially met with skepticism, the practice gradually gained acceptance as a pragmatic solution to judicial backlog. Over time, plea bargaining evolved from an informal practice to a structured component of the criminal justice system, deeply embedded in both state and federal courts....Read More

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