Protecting Trial Rights: Preventing Harsher Sentences for Rejecting Plea Deals.
This law aims to strengthen the constitutional right to a trial by jury by prohibiting judges from imposing harsher sentences solely because a defendant chose to go to trial instead of accepting a plea bargain. Judges must now consider whether the sentence penalizes the defendant for exercising their legal rights, ensuring greater fairness in the justice system. Furthermore, courts gain explicit authority to sentence below the statutory minimum if required to protect this right.
Key points
Judges must not impose increased sentences based on a defendant's decision to reject a plea offer and proceed to trial.
Courts gain explicit authority to sentence below the statutory minimum if required to protect the defendant's constitutional right to a trial.
Sentencing judges must compare the sentence with those received by similarly situated co-defendants who accepted plea agreements.
Expired
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