>I read that 90% of law suits end in plea bargaining Then you don't understand what a plea bargain is. Plea bargains are used only in criminal cases. You may

>I read that 90% of law suits end in plea bargaining Then you don't understand what a plea bargain is. Plea bargains are used only in criminal cases. You may have heard that 90% of lawsuits are settled before they go to court but that has nothing to do with what a plea bargain is. >Trumping up accusations in order to scare the defendant is a negotiation tactic that comes in package with it. No, trumping up accusations is grandstanding. It is neither necessary nor wise if you have a plea bargain system in place. Yes, you can tell the defendant what the possible maximum sentence is, but that doesn't mean you have to grandstand and press conference the result for the rest of the world's consumption. >They can charge an innocent and he would have to spend all he has to prove he is not guilty. How can we stop that? Talk to Kevin Mitnick and Bernie S about this... >If only we could get rid of mandatory minimums and put common sense back in the driving chair, it would be much better. This I agree with. The entire purpose of having a judge involved in sentencing was to make sure that each case was judged on its own merits. Mandatory minimums castrate the judicial system and give too much control to a legislature that is largely bought and paid for by the military/prison/school/election/industrial complex.