February 12, 2008
WHY DOES PLEA BARGANING IN CRIMINAL CASES MAKE GREAT SENSE?
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| All criminal prosecutors on all levels (federal, state & county) make use of Plea Bargaining with Defense Counsel. The media for the most part has no understanding as to why this is an absolutely necessary tool, not only in obtaining a fair and balanced resolution to many cases, major and minor, but without it the criminal justice system would grind to a halt. A person can be charged with an aggravated assault for example, but in reality it is really a simple assault, so the defense counsel and the prosecutor reach a plea agreement of pleading Guilty to the lesser offense. Sometimes the prosecutors charge, but their witnesses fall by the wayside for one reason or another, and in order to get at least a conviction of something are willing to consider a plea to a lesser offense. Sometimes defendants will agree to a plea agreement rather then a lengthy, costly, and somewhat difficult jury trial. ALL Plea Agreements must be approved in open court before a judge, and the judge MUST accept it, or it is thrown out. The Judge will have to be told the facts involved, and in some cases why the prosecutor's office is recommending it. Some people believe these Agreements are done quietly or in "backrooms". Nothing could be further from the truth. It is all on the written record. Many judges will not accept the Agreement until a full pre-sentence report is completed on the defendant and submitted to the Court. I would like to hear from those reading this BLOG what their feelings are about Plea Agreements. Email Me -Attorney Corky Goldstein
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October 10, 2007
New Federal Court House
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| The new Federal Court House should definitely be built at 6th & Reilly Sts. in Harrisburg. This location would be a tremendous economic benifit for the City and would be just what this section of the growing City needs to spur exciting growth-new restaurants, stores, office buildings, residences(apts. & condo's),and it would become one of the safest and securest areas in the City, with the U.S. Marshall Services being housed there as well. The Federal Government(GSA) should listen to our local and federal elected leaders who all support the project at 6th and Reilly, along with the vast majority of the citizens who have shown interest in this project. The Federal Govt. already has spent millions of dollars in reviewing and selecting other sites, as they said the "new courthouse COULD NOT be remodeled or newly built at its present location because of the new security guidelines since 9/11. NOW, somehow they say it can be done, although it will cost much more then at 6th and Reilly. Building a new Courthouse at the present location will be 5 years in the construction, and they will have to rent other facilities for 5 years to house everyone presently in the Courthouse at a huge cost. But, the Federal Govt. could care less about the cost, as it is our money, not theirs, as the GOVERNMENT has no money of its own-it is OUR MONEY. They(the Federal Govt.)has a duty to place this structure in a secure location that will be a true economic benefit to the City--that is written into their own rules-but they don't follow their own rules. They are "above" having to follow any rules. The arrogance of the GSA is even somewhat suspicious. They have long forgotten or probably NEVER knew that the money for this project comes from us. They are your typical bureaucrats who certainly must know better what is right for Harrisburg, Pa. then our own civic, business, elected leaders and the residents! I would like your thoughts on this issue. Email Me. Thank You. Attorney Corky Goldstein
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