I agree with everything here, but I wouldn't use conviction rate as a good metric. The US has a fairly disgusting conviction rate itself (especially federally) linked in with that whole "plea guilty to 6-60 months (judge's prerogative) or face 40 years to get a trial, but we don't call that duress".

I've only once seen a guilty plea where the defendant is asked under oath if they actually agree there's enough evidence to convict them, and that was a high-profile person getting a slap on the wrist for basically treason.

[–] JusticeForPorygon@lemmy.sdf.org 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Out of curiosity, who?

[–] abraxas@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 year ago

99% sure it was Sydney Powell. If I'm remembering wrong, then it was Jenna Ellis. Coulda been both. In Ms. Ellis' guilty plea (I skimmed the video of it) she was bombarded with 5 minutes of confirming questions and I don't have time to listen to all of them. This recently came up on... I think it was Legal Eagle's analysis of all these guilty pleas, and if you haven't checked him out and are interested, you might want to (he's on Youtube)

[–] HawlSera@lemm.ee 3 points 1 year ago

Still it's... horrifying learning that the more ridiculous shit in Phoenix Wright (Like Phoenix having to get someone else declared Guilty to prove his client's innocence, when in real life you just have to create reasonable doubt that your client did it) is... actually based on how Japan's legal system works.

I mean fuck, if the law has that iron of a fist, it gives me newfound respect for the round balls on the Yakuza.