Final answer:
A high percentage of criminal cases are settled before trial via plea bargaining, where the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge for a reduced sentence, waiving the right to trial and appeal.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the legal system, a considerable number of criminal cases are resolved through plea bargaining before reaching trial. Plea bargaining is a negotiation which involves the defendant agreeing to plead guilty to a lesser charge, resulting in a more lenient sentence than what may come from a trial verdict. This procedure enables courts to manage the volume of cases efficiently. Defendants accept plea bargains for various reasons, including the certainty of a lighter punishment instead of risking a more severe penalty if the evidence against them is strong and a trial's outcome appears unfavorable.
Prosecutors also benefit from plea bargains; they can secure a conviction and save resources that would otherwise be used in lengthy trials. Should a plea bargain not be reached, the judicial process continues to the jury selection phase. The right to a trial by jury is waived when a plea is accepted, and as such, the defendant also relinquishes the right to appeal the conviction.