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Corrections and Rehabilitation: Plea Bargaining Nolo Contendere
Corrections and Rehabilitation: Plea Bargaining Nolo Contendere
Corrections and Rehabilitation: Plea Bargaining Nolo Contendere
If the
accused confesses his or her guilt, a shorter process may be employed and a judgment may be
rendered more quickly. Some nations, such as America, allow plea bargaining in which the
accused pleads guilty, nolo contendere or not guilty, and may accept a diversion program or
reduced punishment, where the prosecution's case is weak or in exchange for the cooperation of
the accused against other people. This reduced sentence is sometimes a reward for sparing the
state the expense of a formal trial. Many nations do not permit the use of plea bargaining,
believing that it coerces innocent people to plead guilty in an attempt to avoid a harsh
punishment. The courts nowadays are seeking alternative measures as opposed to throwing
someone into prison right away.[10] Corrections and rehabilitation[edit]
The entire trial process, whatever the country, is fraught with problems and subject to
criticism. Bias and discrimination form an ever-present threat to an objective decision. Any prejudice on
the part of the lawyers, the judge, or jury members threatens to destroy the court's credibility. Some
people argue that the often Byzantine rules governing courtroom conduct and processes restrict a
layman's ability to participate, essentially reducing the legal process to a battle between the lawyers. In
this case, the criticism is that the decision is based less on sound justice and more on the lawyer's
eloquence and charisma. This is a particular problem when the lawyer performs in a substandard manner.
The jury process is another area of frequent criticism, as there are few mechanisms to guard against poor
judgment or incompetence on the part of the layman jurors. Judges themselves are very subject to bias
subject to things as ordinary as the length of time since their last break.[11]
Manipulations of the court system by defense and prosecution attorneys, law enforcement as well as the
defendants have occurred and there have been cases where justice was denied.