Traditional criminal trials long, expensive aur uncertain hote hain. Plea bargaining ek alternative offer karta hai: accused offence accept kare, State charges ya sentence soften kare, aur case quickly dispose ho jaye. Paper pe yeh win-win lagta hai.
Advantages clear hain:
- Victims ko jaldi closure mil sakta hai,
- Judicial backlog kam hota hai,
- Accused ko predictable, lower punishment mil sakti hai,
- State resources serious contested trials pe focus ho sakte hain.
Lekin concerns bhi real hain. Poor ya unrepresented accused pressure ya fear se plea accept kar sakte hain, even jab unke paas valid defence ho. “Trial penalty” ka concept – trial choose karne wale ko potential zyada harsh sentence ka risk – system ko tilted feel kara sakta hai.
Isliye safeguards zaruri hain:
- Plea voluntary ho, record pe judge confirm kare,
- Accused ko charges aur consequences clearly samjhaaye jayein,
- Serious heinous offences me strict scrutiny ho,
- Victim ka say certain crimes me consider kiya jaye.
Correctly used, plea bargaining practical realism introduce karta hai. Lekin woh kabhi bhi truth-finding aur fairness ka complete substitute nahi ban sakta.
