OUTSIDER IN THE COURTROOM - AN ALTERNATIVE ROLE FOR THE DEFENSE (FROM POTENTIAL FOR REFORM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, 1974 BY HERBERT JACOB - SEE NCJ-19989)

• NCJ Number: 19997
• Author(s): L M MATHER
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 27 pages
• Corporate Author: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

DESCRIBES THE SITUATIONS IN WHICH ATTORNEYS CHOOSE AN ADVERSARY TRIAL, THOSE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS WHO PREFER NOT TO PLEA BARGAIN, AND DEFENDANTS WHO REJECT THE PLEA BARGAINS RECOMMENDED BY THEIR COUNSEL.

Abstract

THE DATA PRESENTED COMES FROM A STUDY OF THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF THE LOS ANGELES SUPERIOR COURT. THE DATA INDICATE THAT MOST DEFENDANTS TEND TO ACCEPT THEIR ATTORNEY'S VIEW ON THE BEST STRATEGY FOR CASE DISPOSITION. ADVERSARY TRIAL PROCEEDINGS WERE PRINCIPALLY CHOSEN IN WEAKER CASES AND CASES THAT ARE HOPELESS FOR THE DEFENDANT. MOST ATTORNEYS WERE FOUND TO CHOOSE THE BEST ALTERNATIVE IN THE INTEREST OF THEIR CLIENT.