Problem
The issue of plea bargaining, and the resulting sentences, has plagued our criminal justice system for years. The question has always been, do many defendants fully understand the ramifications of plea bargaining. The United States Supreme Court has even acknowledged the significant role of plea bargaining in criminal defendants' prosecution.
The court addressed this issue in 2010 in the case of Padilla v. Kentucky by ruling that defense attorneys must provide accurate advice to their clients about the potential consequences of a criminal conviction. The Justices acknowledged that many criminal defenders might not fully comprehend the collateral aftermaths, and thus the decision-making processes regarding pleas are compromised.
What are your thoughts on the issue of plea bargaining?