DeepCast Logo

Topic: Prosecutorial discretion

Prosecutorial discretion refers to the authority of a prosecutor to decide which charges to bring against a defendant, based on factors such as the strength of the evidence, the seriousness of the offense, and the defendant's criminal history.

More on: Prosecutorial discretion

The podcast episodes explore the role of prosecutorial discretion in the criminal justice system, highlighting how prosecutors' decision-making can have significant impacts on individual cases and broader systemic issues.

For example, the episode on The Alford Plea delves into how a prosecutor's offer of a plea deal can lead to paradoxical outcomes where a person maintains innocence while pleading guilty. The episode on Is This Progressive Answer to Crime Working? examines how progressive prosecutors' use of discretion in charging decisions has been a point of debate. The episode on Hunter Biden's Judgment Day raises questions about whether the aggressive prosecution of Hunter Biden is an appropriate exercise of prosecutorial discretion.

These examples illustrate how prosecutorial discretion is a key factor in the criminal justice process, with significant implications for individual defendants as well as broader systemic issues.

All Episodes