Unit 6 Assessment

Helps the prosecutor dispose of a busy caseload

Contributes to courtroom inefficiency

Benefits the defendant by providing a reduction in charges and/or favorable sentencing recommendation

Decides the defendant’s guilt without having a trial

Can coerce an innocent individual to plead guilty

Benefits the victim who does not wish to testify at trial

Saves on judicial resources by avoiding the costs of going to trial

Behooves the prosecutor to choose the most serious charge from which to begin bargaining