The Prosecutor’s Chessboard: Strategic Moves for Community Safety

As an Assistant District Attorney, my primary responsibility is to seek justice for the victims of crime and ensure the safety of our community. While the public often imagines the justice system as a series of dramatic full trials, the reality is that negotiated pleas play a crucial and often undervalued role in achieving these goals effectively and efficiently.¹

Contrary to some opinions, a well-negotiated plea agreement isn't a compromise of justice but a powerful tool that can benefit victims, the accused, and the community as a whole. We never enter into these agreements lightly. Each case is meticulously reviewed, considering the evidence, the impact on the victim, and the interests of public safety. Ignoring the potential benefits of plea negotiations would be a disservice to the principles we uphold.²

One of the significant benefits of a negotiated plea is the certainty and closure it offers to victims. Trials can be lengthy, emotionally draining, and ultimately uncertain. Victims often have to relive traumatic events through testimony, face cross-examination, and endure potential appeals, which can prolong their suffering. A plea agreement, on the other hand, can provide a swifter resolution and allow victims to begin the healing process knowing that the offender has been held accountable. This certainty can be invaluable in their journey towards recovery.³

From a prosecutorial standpoint, negotiated pleas allow us to allocate our limited resources strategically. Our court system, like any public service, operates within budgetary constraints. Lengthy and complex trials consume significant time and resources, diverting attention from other pressing cases. Resolving appropriate cases through plea agreements enables us to focus our efforts on the most serious offenses, ensuring that violent criminals and those posing the greatest threat to our community receive the full atte