Final answer:
About 90% of felony cases and greater than 90% of misdemeanors in the U.S. are resolved without a trial, mainly through plea bargaining. This process allows defendants to plead guilty to lesser charges or receive lighter sentences, while prosecutors secure convictions and save resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is estimated that approximately 90% of all felony cases and over 90% of misdemeanors are settled without trial through the process known as plea bargaining. This legal procedure involves the defendant agreeing to plead guilty to a lesser charge or to receive a lighter sentence, foregoing the protections of a full trial. For defendants, this can mean avoiding the risks of a more severe sentence if the evidence against them is substantial. For prosecutors, it guarantees a conviction and saves the time and resources that would be spent on a full trial.
During plea bargaining, defendants waive certain rights, including the right to appeal. This process also entails that the defendant must admit to their crimes in open court, which is then taken into consideration by the judge when determining sentencing, potentially based on guidelines that assign point values to various offenses.
There are various reasons why defendants and prosecutors might choose plea bargaining: overwhelming evidence, the desire to avoid harsher penalties, and considerations of time and resources. This practice has become a substantial part of the American criminal justice system, illustrating the pragmatism that often guides legal proceedings over the drama depicted in media.