Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris
Again ... The US justice system has a remarkable track record when it comes to getting people to spill the beans.
|
Is that because the sentences are far more severe and the system far more rigorous for the accused and those found guilty? If you know you're going down for 20-30 years (and won't be serving just a fraction of that) as would happen here) there's a huge incentive to do a deal in return for a lesser sentence or even immunity from prosecution. You get let off, the bad guys get done and there's plenty of kudos to be shared around those responsible for the prosecution, many if whom are elected IIRC and rely on being seen to be getting results.
It's all a bit vague but I recall reading, in connection with the case of a UK citizen put on trial in the states some years ago, that the US prosecutors throw everything possible at those in the dock to raise the stakes and rely on the likelihood that the accused will decide to accept some guilt rather than risk arguing their innocence and getting a massive sentence. The pressure to do this is far greater, apparently, than in the UK system.