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this post was submitted on 31 Aug 2023
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Hell no. You absolutely shouldn't get to punish a citizen for putting up a defense.
Even someone who 100% committed the crime they are accused of should be able to zealously defend themselves, including pleading not guilty. The state already has too much power in prosecuting people.
Yes, Trump deserves the full force of law applied against him, but let's not give the state even more ammo against the average citizen.
Now now, think about it.
Long story short, if your plea is a lie, it should be an additional charge to keep you locked away longer. Helps disincentivize people pleading not guilty when they know they can't beat the charge and wasting everyone's time and money. Encourages plea deals.
Ok, you're a troll, I get it. But for everyone else reading this - There's already PLENTY of incentive to plea out. Too much incentive.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/walterpavlo/2018/07/31/are-innocent-people-pleading-guilty-a-new-report-says-yes/
This is just one story, go ahead and do a search and you'll find PLENTY more - how many stories can you find just in your local paper for someone who's been in jail for 10 years before they're released with not much more than a "sorry about that, tough luck, buddy."
Cops already lie to defendants and say "we know you did it, we have 7 witnesses and DNA evidence. Just plea out and take a year of jail, or go to trial and get 20 years." The defendant has no cash for bail, has no way of getting a good lawyer, so they have a public defender. Now they ALSO have an extra "oh, and if you say you're not guilty at pre-trial, we'll add another 10 years for perjury. Good luck, sucker!"
Sure, you might think it's a good thing to lock up more people, but innocent people get locked up ALL THE TIME. Including innocent people coerced into confessing to crimes they didn't commit. You personally could very easily be one of those people someday, even if you never break the law (which itself is almost impossible.)
Finally - here's a very famous historical YouTube video explaining EXACTLY how you can get railroaded into prison without doing anything wrong - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-7o9xYp7eE
Here is an alternative Piped link(s): https://piped.video/watch?v=d-7o9xYp7eE
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