Summary of The Rights Of Suspects
Practice Questions
- Explain why someone accused of a crime might negotiate a plea bargain rather than exercising the right to a trial by jury.
- Explain the difference between a criminal case and a civil case.
Sample Answer:
Someone accused of a crime may take a plea bargain because it reflects a clear path forward rather than the uncertainty of a trial. Typically plea bargains result in weaker punishments than does a court trial.
Glossary
double jeopardy: a prosecution pursued twice at the same level of government for the same criminal action
economic liberty: the right of individuals to obtain, use, and trade things of value for their own benefit
eminent domain: the power of government to take or use property for a public purpose after compensating its owner; also known as the takings clause of the Fifth Amendment
Miranda warning: a statement by law enforcement officers informing a person arrested or subject to interrogation of his or her rights
plea bargain: an agreement between the defendant and the prosecutor in which the defendant pleads guilty to the charge(s) in question or perhaps to less serious charges, in exchange for more lenient punishment than if convicted after a full trial
self-incrimination: an action or statement that admits guilt or responsibility for a crime