Chapter 09 Summary and Key Concepts

Chapter 9 describes how the courts dispose of cases, including plea bargaining and jury trials.

Topic: Plea Bargaining

    • Plea bargaining is often criticized because it appears as if the offender escapes full justice.
    • A plea bargain does not determine guilt.
    • In a plea bargain, defendants plead guilty or

nolo contendere

  • in exchange for a lighter sentence.
  • Types of plea bargains include vertical pleas, horizontal pleas, reduced- sentence pleas, and avoidance-of-stigma pleas.
  • Most cases are settled in the plea bargaining process, and only a few cases go to a jury trial.

 

Topic: The Trial

    • Criminal trials are relatively rare.
    • The rights of defendants in criminal trials are derived from the Bill of Rights.
    • Prior to opening statements, each side may file pretrial motions to gain the most favorable circumstances and to limit the evidence from the other side.
    • Frequent pretrial motions include: motion for dismissal of charges, motion for continuance, motion for discovery, motion for severance of defendants, motion        for severance of offenses, motion for the suppression of evidence, motion to    determine competency, and motion for change of venue.
    • No evidence is presented during opening arguments.
    • The prosecution makes the first opening argument, telling why it believes that the defendant is guilty. The prosecution will outline the case and tell the jury of the types of evidence to be presented.
    • The defense attorney counters the prosecution's version of the case.
    • The prosecution introduces evidence and witnesses.
    • During this presentation, the defense may object to questions asked by the prosecutor or answers given by a witness.
    • The defense may then cross-examine the witnesses.
    • The prosecutor may question the witness again, followed by questions from the
    • After the prosecution presents evidence and witnesses, the defense presents its own evidence and witnesses.
    • The prosecution may cross-examine witnesses, followed by redirect questions from the defense and re-cross-examination by the prosecution.
    • Closing arguments follow, and the case goes to the jury.
    • The formation of a jury requires several steps: creation of the mastery jury list, formation of the

venire

    • , and

voir dire

    • .
    • Jury selection is subject to influence by the prosecution and defense through

voir dire

  • . A potential juror may be excluded by challenge for cause or     peremptory challenge.
  • A conviction or acquittal requires a unanimous vote.
  • Defendants who are found guilty are sentenced by the judge, who has considerable discretion.
  • Cases that usually do not get a jury trial are those in which the penalty is not serious, cases with a juvenile defendant, or cases when the defense requests a       bench trial.
  • In a bench trial, a judge decides the issue of guilt and passes sentence.

 

Topic: Sentencing

  • Depending on the nature of the case and the judge's motivations, the goal of the sentence may be treatment, punishment, incapacitation, restitution,          revenge, or deterrence.
  • The two primary types of sentencing philosophies are indeterminate sentencing and determinate sentencing. The indeterminate sentence is fashioned to fit the          offender; the determinate sentence is fashioned to fit the offense.
  • Mandatory minimum sentences, a form of determinate sentencing, do not allow probation and specify incarceration for a term not less than a specified        number of years.

 

Topic: Pre-trial release

  • Cash bond: The judge sets a bail of a certain amount of money the defendant must give to the court in exchange for release pending trial. If the defendant      shows up for the court proceedings, then the entire amount is refunded.
  • Property bond: A piece of property is used as collateral in lieu of cash.
  • Release on recognizance: The judge may release a defendant based on a promise to return to court.
  • Bail bond or surety bond: A bail agent is someone who promises to pay the defendant’s bail if he or she fails to appear for further proceedings. The           defendant pays the bail agent 10 percent of the bail as a fee and may put up some collateral.
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