Innocent yet Pleading Guilty: The Shocking Truth Behind Plea Bargains
In contemporary times, the United States’ criminal justice system has undergone quite a number of changes. In fact, it has evolved today to become one of the most complex judicial systems in the world. Despite its high merits, one of the things that really raises a lot of questions is the plea bargain. How come it become increasingly prevalent in so many cases today?
It begins with the history
The plea bargain became popular during the years after World War II. This was in response to resolve more than 80% of all criminal cases. However, at the time of its earlier inception, the plea bargain still had a lot of transparency in it. That is, a defendant who was truthfully innocent of a crime could select to go to trial and not fear that he or she might be subjecting themselves to an inevitably long and dreary prison sentence.
This dramatically changed during the 70s and 80s when crime in the US skyrocketed. This was as a result of the booming drug trade that had spread across major cities in America. In response to this, federal legislatures proceeded to intensify the sentences of any criminal violations. One good example is the Rockefeller Laws of 1973, which gave a mandatory minimum of 15 years for anyone found selling 2 ounces of marijuana, heroin, or cocaine!
For example, the federal courts imposed a mandatory minimum of ten years and the maximum sentence of life if one was found distributing 5 or more kilograms of cocaine! With such strict rules put in place, it became increasingly effective for defendants to enter a plea bargain to have their sentences reduced.
Innocent but pleading guilty: a classic case that defied all odds
In 2008, James Owen confidently walked into a Baltimore courtroom despite being in chains and shackles. He had spent about 20 years in prison after being convicted for life. He finally had a chance to prove his innocence after the state had wrongfully convicted him of a crime he did not commit.
He had been unlawfully imprisoned until DNA tests revealed that the body fluids discovered on the victim were not his. In response, a Maryland court put aside his conviction and opted to give him another trial.
State prosecutors, on the other hand, played hardball, insisting they still had sufficient evidence to keep him behind bars. In fact, they offered him the Alford plea; a deal that required him to plead guilty and in response, he was guaranteed an instant release from prison without the danger of facing a conviction or even a retrial.
The other components of the Alford pleas were that Owens could go on record and say that he was innocent of his crime; however, he could not get a chance at exoneration. That means that legally, he was still a killer!
Owen turned down the deal to clear his name. Unfortunately, he spent another 16 months in prison for this decision. But lady luck was on his side because he was later exonerated and had every right to sue the state for wrongful imprisonment.
The ugly side of the plea bargain.
Courts usually determine the guilt or innocence of an individual before conviction. After that, the courts will now turn their attention to fairness. Was the process lived up to and were all the duties duly followed? In fact, it can be quite difficult for a convict to get a hearing, let alone win the case. Even enough evidence that might have been recently unearthed may sometimes not be enough for the case to be given a review. And in the case that it does, convicts are usually coerced into a plea bargain; and the Alford plea to be specific.
The real problem with such deals is that they expose a lot of innocent people to stigma. These individuals are also unable to sue the state and claim compensation for wrongful imprisonment.
Wrongful convictions are depressing and horrible, but it becomes even more miserable when a person that was improperly convicted does not have a chance to legally prove their freedom; or get rightful compensation for the unwarranted time they served in jail.
More in Legal Advice
-
Why Lawyers’ Productivity Has Increased in Modern Times
Remember the old days when your image of a lawyer might have been drawn straight out of an episode of “Matlock”...
November 5, 2023 -
Paying Down Debts Using Debt Relief Tactics
Debt is like that lingering headache that never seems to go away, no matter how much aspirin you pop. But there...
October 29, 2023 -
Pro Se: Your Right to Represent Yourself WITHOUT an Attorney
The legal system is complex and so, more often than not, people hire a professional attorney to navigate the legal system....
October 21, 2023 -
The Craziest, Most Expensive Hollywood Divorces of All Time
Hollywood is the land of glitz, glamour, and romance – until it is not. Over the years, we have seen our...
October 13, 2023 -
How Was Life as a Lawyer in Ancient Rome?
The Late Roman Republic was a period chock-full of political drama, rampant corruption, and the rise and fall of powerful figures....
October 8, 2023 -
7 Critical Things to Know Before Hiring an Elder Law Attorney
Hiring an attorney can feel like a daunting task. When the need pertains to elder law, emotions run high, often making...
October 1, 2023 -
The Difference Between Paralegals & Lawyers
Ever found yourself at a social gathering, bragging about that courtroom drama you watched last night, only to have someone chime...
September 24, 2023 -
Mr. Beast Files $100M Lawsuit Over His Popular Burger Chain
If you have been riding the YouTube wave, Mr. Beast, the alias of Jimmy Donaldson, needs no introduction. From jaw-dropping giveaways...
September 16, 2023 -
How to Write a Legal Brief the Right Way
A legal brief is a staple of the legal world, the backbone of any argument before a court. At the same...
September 10, 2023