What percentage of felony convictions result from a plea bargain?

The statement that roughly ninety percent of felony convictions result from a plea bargain reflects the significant reliance on plea agreements within the criminal justice system. Plea bargaining allows defendants to plead guilty to lesser charges or receive lighter sentences in exchange for waiving their right to a trial. This process alleviates the burden on the courts by reducing the number of cases that require a full trial, which can be lengthy and resource-intensive.

The prevalence of plea bargains is primarily driven by the realities of the legal system, where defendants often choose to accept a plea deal over the uncertainty of going to trial, where they may face harsher penalties if convicted. This statistic is widely cited in legal studies and reports analyzing the outcomes of criminal cases, showcasing how plea deals have become an instrumental part of the prosecution and adjudication process.

In contrast, the other percentages indicate a trend that is less accurate when considering the prevailing practices within the justice system. While seventy percent and eighty-five percent suggest a significant reliance on plea bargaining, they do not encompass the comprehensive extent to which this practice has been adopted, which is closer to the ninety percent mark. The nearly hundred percent figure, while it underscores the overwhelming prevalence of plea agreements, is not accurate as there are cases that do go to trial