Write an essay (500-750 words) on the constitutionality of the plea bargaining process. Be sure to do the following:
Your essay should include an analysis of the Supreme Court ruling in U.S. v. Ruiz, 536 U.S. 622 (2002), in which the court held that prosecutors need not inform defendants about the disparity during negotiations involved in the plea bargaining process. Give your reaction to this ruling.
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of prosecutors and defense attorneys being able to use plea bargaining. How do their goals differ? Describe whether you feel these advantages and disadvantages weigh into the constitutionality of the practice.
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Plea bargaining is the process of negotiating an agreement among the defendant , the prosecutor , and the court as to an appropriate plea and associated sentence in a given case . Plea bargains circumvents the trial process and dramatically reduces the time required for the resolution of a criminal case . This process is both beneficial to the prosecutor along with the defendant as well . First , it is beneficial for the defendant because a plea bargain means the possibility of reduced charges , reduced defense costs , and a shorter sentence that might otherwise be anticipated . The defendant will save on many attorney fee ‘s that they would have had to spent if they went to trial . Also , even if the defendant thinks they are not guilty , they might still be found guilty if they go to trial . So , in this situation , it might be better safe than sorry which is why the plea bargain is beneficial . For the prosecutor , a plea bargain means a quick conviction , without the need to commit the time and resources needed and necessary for a trial . Prosecutors have a lot of cases they need to deal with and if they took every case they had to trial , they would never stop working , which is why plea bargains are also very beneficial to them as well . Overall , plea bargains are extremely beneficial to both the defendants and the prosecutor . This is why plea bargains are commonly seen throughout so many cases .