Why are plea bargains offered?
There are not enough prosecutors, judges, courtrooms, or trial days on the calendar to put all the literally thousands of cases every year in Shiawassee County before a jury. For those defendants taken to trial, or for those who plead guilty before a trial, there are not enough jail cells in the state to hold them all. These genuine practical demands. In addition, the following are all interests that are considered by the Prosecutor when deciding how to proceed:
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- Defendant's Speedy Trial Rights
- Deterrence
- Public Safety
- Punishment
- Rehabilitation
- Seriousness of the Cases
- Strengths or Weaknesses of Cases
- Victim's Wishes
The Prosecuting Attorney and the staff of Assistant Prosecutors all strive to balance these competing interests before deciding whether to offer a plea bargain in any particular case. Most cases are resolved in a relatively short time by the defendant's plea, many times a plea to the charged offense.