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What Is a Plea Bargain?

Plea bargains are a staple of every cop and courtroom show on TV. “Copping a plea” seems to be the script writer’s favorite trick for getting the goods on the ultimate bad guy. You’re familiar with the scene: the tough cop or prosecutor leans on the minor crook, promising him a lighter sentence if he gives up the diabolical plot or rats out the gun-crazed maniac they’re trying to put away. It’s a highly dramatic way to move the plot along involving lots of anguished close ups and the occasional angry table thumping. In real life, it’s not nearly so dramatic. Plea bargaining is fairly standard procedure in criminal cases, says Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Stephen Rodriguez. “Most people who are charged with committing a crime will have to decide whether to go to trial or to accept a plea bargain,” he explains...continue to full post

Full post as published by LA Criminal Defense Blog on January 12, 2009 (boomark / email).

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