8 Charges Get Plead Down To One?

[WalterWhite]

I hope someone with a better understanding of the legal process can explain this to me, because I have a hard time grasping how this is reasonable:

https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/2 ... ug-witness

While McGee originally pleaded not guilty and was set to face trial next week for attempted murder involving a criminal organization, aggravated assault and six other firearms charges, he pleaded guilty to just the attempted murder charge, Friday.

Crown prosecutor Murray Kaay told the court he intends to drop all other charges following sentencing.

[oneh2obabe]

Canadian Lawyer Mag
Columnists
Michael Spratt

Why plea bargains can be a deal with the devil
January 16, 2017

The plea bargain is a deal with the devil — at least according to many members of the public. The public may be right, but the real question is: Just who is the devil in the plea bargain equation?

Let’s first take a step back and go over some basics.

In 1975, the Law Reform Commission of Canada defined a plea bargain as "any agreement by the accused to plead guilty in return for the promise of some benefit."

The essence of any plea bargain is a quid pro quo.

So the quid: The accused gives up their constitutional right to be presumed innocent and waives their right to a trial. In other words, the accused relieves the state of the heavy obligation of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
After all, there is only one guarantee in criminal law — if you plead guilty you will be found guilty.

And the quo: The accused receives the benefit of reduced charges, or less jail time or some measure of certainty about the ultimate sentence.

Balance of article
http://www.canadianlawyermag.com/author ... evil-3505/

[WalterWhite]

Thanks for that ^^ I guess they (the crown) need a better negotiator :)

[cutter7]

This is nothing new, police usually make a slew of charges e.g. put your hand up to deflect a strike and you are charged with resisting arrest, obstruction ect.
Remember , let your lawyer do the talking , say nothing to the police

[BGrigg07]

Standard (and to me reprehensible) practice, especially when the prosecutors have a weak case. Throw the book at them and plea bargain for a lesser crime so they can be guaranteed a conviction. I suppose it saves us valuable court time...

[KL3-Something]

Standard (and to me reprehensible) practice, especially when the prosecutors have a weak case. Throw the book at them and plea bargain for a lesser crime so they can be guaranteed a conviction. I suppose it saves us valuable court time...

Except in this case, he’s pleading guilty to the most serious one.