I feel that plea bargains are justice avoided. Prosecutors accept plea-bargains not because the justice system is overworked and understaffed, rather it is the lack of desire to uphold the "justice" in the justice system. In the article reviewed the statement is made that approximately ninety percent of the cases heard result in plea-bargains rather than going through a full trial. If ninety percent of these cases are accepted plea bargains, the system should be able to "push through" to the next case; therefor overcrowding of cases shouldn't exist. It is an escape from being honestly punished for an offense that has been committed to accept a plea, and our "justice system" does not follow through the values that our Constitution has founded. It is easier for the system to quickly resolve matters, and give persons a lesser criminal sentence and/or record by allowing them to accept a plea bargain, yet it doesn't serve the punishment that is required for the offenses that he/she has committed. Plea-bargaining is more of a slap on the hand and a time out in the corner instead of the true punishments deserved. Our legal system has weakened its core by accepting plea bargains and not truly punishing those who are well deserved of the punishments. Prosecutors uphold their reputations as well as the defense lawyers because both parties are still coming out clean and their parties are receiving what they want versus what they deserve. The defendant gets the lesser sentence which allows he/she to think that they can get away with a lesser punishment and providing them the feeling that if they offend again they will be able to get away with it once more. So, my belief of due process and plea bargaining is that it only repeats the cycle of offend, arrest, accept a plea bargain, go out again and start all over. Plea-bargaining does not instill an understanding of punishment in the offender and this allows the criminal cycle to continue.
