The “Water Cooler” is a feature on Claycord.com where we ask you a question or provide a topic, and you talk about it. The “Water Cooler” will be up Monday-Friday in the noon hour.
QUESTION: Do you think prosecutors should always consult the victims’ families before striking a plea deal with the defendent?
Talk about it.
If by consult you mean ask for advice or opinion, I would say no. Prosecution relies on available evidence to prove to a jury guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, so education and training in the legal aspects, all as part of the Justice system. If by consult you mean discuss or confer with, then yes, I think it reasonable and fair to inform them in advance what the outcome may be, with the explanation of understanding that this may not be satisfactory. I know if I were the family member, I would not want plea, unless it resulted in a near maximum penalty.
Yes, absolutely
They need to be kept up to date and not surprised
by what is coming. They should hear it before seeing it on social media or through the press.
While they may not agree with it they will appreciate
the communication.
It’s all about resolving cases, in short trials cost time and money. Charge dropping and
plea bargains are done to encourage defendant to plead guilty, thereby saving money.
.
What needs to happen is a website, listing current charges, previous convictions and
what was done to resolve the case. Current system, unless case is very high profile
information is not readily available, evidently DA likes it that way.
Ideally the prosecutor would be all the victim advocacy needed.
They represent ‘ the People’ after all.
…he uttered naively.
Inform… Discuss
If they did there wouldn’t be very many plea deals.
They had this guy cold, and it ‘s presumptuous to assume the victim’s families would prefer to be spared from trial. Further, they seem to believe that seeking the death penalty is vengeful, whereas the victim’s families likely see it as justice.
This plea deal seems extra stinky.