Skills Workshop: Plea Bargaining

The vast majority of criminal cases in the United States court system - more than ninety percent- are resolved not through a jury trial but rather through guilty pleas. This course is designed to examine the role of the plea bargain in the criminal justice system including the relevant statutory and case law, the role of the prosecutor, defense attorney and judge in the process, as well as the theoretical underpinnings and ethical considerations involved. The vast majority of the course, however, will focus on practical real-world scenarios and will use simulations to allow students to gain hands-on experience in conducting plea bargain negotiations.