California Supreme Court
Apr. 20, 2013
Court clarifies rule on unlawful judicial plea bargaining
Judges can't offer defendants lighter sentences for striking a plea deal, even with the goal of clearing clogged courts, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
Daily Journal Staff Writer
Judges cannot offer defendants lighter sentences for striking a plea deal, even with the goal of clearing clogged courts, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
With some exceptions, judges must stick to what they tell defendants their sentences will be, regardless of whether a plea deal is struck or a jury convicts.
Judges should also refrain from giving so-called "indicated sentence...
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