The alternative to plea bargaining is generally that everyone convicted gets sentences in line with the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. No one ever seems to beli

The alternative to plea bargaining is generally that everyone convicted gets sentences in line with the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. No one ever seems to believe this but the intention is for there to be a better result for both sides. I'll admit that dropping the option of plea bargains would less to lower conviction rates (though this is not necessarily a good thing, depending on your mindset). However should Aaron's case have gone to trial it's very likely IMO that it would have lead to a conviction and you really would be talking about anywhere between 1-7 years in prison instead of 4-8 months. That sword cuts both ways.