There is no question that plea bargaining is coercive. Almost no offender wants to admit guilt to any wrongdoing. Therefore, when an offer is made by the prosecutor to plead guilty to reduced charges or face prosecution on more serious charges, most defendants find this choice coercive. Even judges think plea bargaining is coercive (Champion 2005a).
At the same time, however, judges concede that plea bargaining is a suitable trade-off between due process and crime control. Further, plea bargaining makes life much easier for these judges, prosecutors, defense counsel, and criminals.
Should plea bargaining be permitted? Why or why not?