Originally Posted by
thegodfather
...
Lets say I charge you with involuntary manslaughter involving a motor vehicle while intoxicated, which in the state of New Jersey carries a 3 year minimum mandatory sentence, and up to 15 years in prison. I may have a weak case against you, I may have lets say a 25% chance of conviction. I know this, so I offer for you to plead guilty to depraved indifference, serve a 1 year suspended sentence(meaning you do not serve the 1 year unless you break the law within that year), 5 years probation, and a fine of $10,000.00 dollars. You KNOW you are innocent, but, are you going to bet your life, knowing you will serve no less than 3 years, and possibly 15 years in prison, with a 25% chance that I will gain a conviction over you? Whilst you have the opportunity to plead guilty to a lesser charge with NO jail time, probation, and some fines? That is an entirely realistic and plausible scenario that INNOCENT people face EVERY SINGLE DAY in our criminal justice system. ...