It is the centerpiece of America's judicial process: the right to a trial by jury system that places a
defendant's fate in the hands of a jury of one's peers. But it may surprise many to learn that
nearly 95 percent of all cases resulting in felony convictions never reach a jury. Instead, they are
settled through plea bargains in which a defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for a
reduced sentence. Critics, however, contend that the push to resolve cases through plea
bargains jeopardizes the constitutional rights of defendants, who may be pressured to admit
their guilt whether they are guilty or not. In this 90-minute documentary, FRONTLINE explores
the moral, judicial and constitutional implications of relying on plea bargains to expedite justice.