“The World According to Doctrine” — Plea Bargaining is “Professional Courtesy”

Plea Bargaining is “Professional Courtesy”

While the victims of murder have no opportunity or ability to lessen their condition – those who kill them can cut a deal to reduce, or even eliminate the consequences of their actions – and the victim’s family is not a party to the plea bargain and has no standing to prevent it.

Giving the victims “the right to offer written input into whether a plea bargaining agreement is proper,” and “making a reasonable effort to provide them the opportunity to comment on the agreement terms”; is as meaningful an action as putting up your hand to stop a lethal bullet.

Professional courtesy generally refers to the etiquette extended between members of the same profession.

It’s a situation that places career criminals and career law enforcement on an equal footing. And the victims?

You’re a victim: get over it!