Background Image for Header:
Plea Bargaining and Manipulation of Justice Within The “Justice” System
Jessica Geczo* and Corey Colyer, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505
Field (Broad Category): Criminology/Criminal Justice (Oral-Human Engagement)
Student’s Major: Criminology
The issue regarding plea bargaining and legal proceedings are important within our criminal justice system. Current plea bargaining practices discriminate against the lower classes. Every individual under the 6th and 5th amendment of the Constitution has a right to a fair and speedy public trial as well as a right against selfincrimination. Through my observations and research conducted within the Magistrate Court of Morgantown, WV; I have concluded that the due process of defendants are repeatedly infringed upon. With the majority of the population attending the Magistrate Court in Morgantown, WV being: citizens of the lower class, ill-educated regarding the justice system, as well as facing the opioid epidemic- it is evident that most defendants have no choice but to accept the plea bargain presented to them by the prosecutor in their case. Through my fieldwork, I have found that the opportunities of justice being served within courts that have a high population of lower classes attending are neglected; as well as the rights of the individual being deprived.
Funding:
Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: My efforts were mainly voluntary.