Plea Deal 1

 

Instructions: Read the scenarios presented to you and answer the questions that follow. Please answer honestly.

 

The experiment will take around 35 minutes but you may end beforehand. Please take your time and answer everything honestly.

 

 

Plea Deal: a defendant pleads guilty to a charge in order for a lesser punishment

     -A person also gives up their right to a trial if they accept a plea deal

 

 

Example: Bob is accused of robbing a bank. He is offered a plea deal where if he admits he robbed the bank, he will serve 3 years in jail instead of 8 years.

 

 

Do you understand what a plea deal is?

 

 

 

Imagine you are on a jury and the defendant originally accepted a plea deal. However, the defendant took the plea deal back because they are claiming they are innocent. On a scale of 1 (Not guilty) to 10 (guilty) how guilty do you perceive this person?

A friend you know was recently accused of selling drugs. They are claiming they are innocent and you know this friend is innocent. If convicted, they could face up to 10 years in prison. However, your friend is offered a plea deal where they would only serve 4 years if they admit guilt instead of 10 years.  Their lawyer is telling them to take a plea deal as they have a high chance of getting convicted at trial. Your friend decides to ask you for advice. Would you tell them to take the plea deal? 

 

Scenario 1

Jake is accused of trespassing. He is offered a plea deal in which he will pay $100 fine instead of a $500 fine. Should Jake  take the plea deal? 

 

Vanessa is accused of taking money illegally from her company. Although she is innocent but she is told by her lawyer has a 50% chance of being found guilty due to evidence against her. 

 

She is offered the following plea deal: admit she is guilty and get 4 months of probation instead of a year in jail. Should she take the plea deal? 

 

Vanessa decides to take the plea deal. She then cannot get a job she wants due to having a criminal record.

 

Knowing this, should she have taken the plea deal? 

Scenario 3

 

Dan is accused of murdering his ex. If convicted, he could face life in prison. But, Dan is offered a plea deal that if he admits guilt, he will receive 20 yrs instead of life in prison. Should he take the plea deal?

Scenario 4

Sam is accused of murder and kidnapping. If he is found guilty, he will receive the death penalty. His lawyer is pushing him to take a plea deal for a lesser sentence as Sam has a 20% chance of being found guilty (and then sentenced to death) due to evidence against him.

 

Sam however is innocent, should he take the plea deal?

 

Chad is accused of assaulting a man in a bar. However, Chad is innocent as the man the man falsely recognized him. Chad's lawyer is telling Chad he has a 70% chance of being found guilty at trail.

 

Chad is offered a plea deal where he will serve 2 months in prison instead of 8 months. Should he accept the plea deal?

Karen is arrested as she is believed to had robbed a bank. She is innocent and offered a plea deal of 5 years in jail instead of 8 years. She has a 50% chance of being found guilty, then getting 8 years. Should she take the plea deal?

Lane is accused of Insurance fraud. Lane could face up to 4 years in prison in found guilty at trial. Lane is offered a plea deal for paying $5,000 instead of getting jail time. Should Lane take the deal?

As you are walking home from class, a police car pulls up and arrests you. The police claim that you set a building on fire and are being arrested for arson. Arson is a felony crime in the United States which is punishable up to 25 years to life in prison. Although you are innocent, the police are confident you committed the crime. They interrogate you intensely before you get a lawyer.

 

Once your lawyer is present, she state the odds are not looking good. She gets you a plea deal where you will only face 2 years in prison if you accept. Your lawyer reminds you that if you do not accept the plea deal, you will have to take your chance at trial. According to the lawyer, you have a 50% chance of being found guilty at trial based on the evidence they have against you. Would you accept the plea deal? 

READ CAREFULLY: In the legal system, accepting a plea deal means not going to trial as well as stating you are guilty. If future evidence is found proving your innocence, you cannot be released from prison. 

 

 

Knowing this, would you still accept a plea deal for the last scenario? 

 

 

Scenario Reminders: you are being accused of arson which carries a 25 to life sentence if convicted and your lawyer states you have a 50% chance of being found guilty and receiving a harsh punishment. 

 

 

Thank you so much for participating! You are free to leave.  If you have any questions, feel free to ask or email me. Have a great day!