A Plea Agreement – the Procedural and Practical Aspects: Case Study: studija slučaja

Abstract

Reason for writing and research problem(s): A plea agreement as a form of abbreviated criminal procedure aims to faster and more efficient process. In practice, the application of the agreement caused many doubts and controversies. Based on the case study, the intention of author is, through the practice of the courts in Tuzla Canton, to indicate the procedural deficiencies in the application of this mechanism in the legislation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Aims of the paper (scientific and/or social): To explicitly describe the process model “communication” and (in) consistency in the application in practice, which seeks to discover the causes that lead to unequal treatment of defendants in the proceedings.

Methodology/ Design: The base of research makes the application of case studies, using a holistic design. The rationale for the use of design stems from the fact that this is a case that represents a paradigm in the newer jurisprudence. For an overview and analysis of regulations and sources, in addition to general scientific methods, will be used analytical-synthetic methods and documentary methods.

Research/ Paper limitation: Primarily consist in the fact that there are not found case studies on this topic in the scientific and technical sources. Also, in the case-law of the courts in the Federation is not found identical case, and in that way listed topic has been put into disposition to the scientific as well as the professional community.

Results/ Findings/ General Conclusion: Specific treatment of courts in the application of the institute of the plea bargaining and appeal by the defense against the verdict, was resulting in a series of legal ambiguity. It was pointed out to the possible procedural situations and have been offered solutions in accordance with the positive provisions.

Research/ Paper Validity: An increasing number of complaints to the completed agreements, according to the model described in the study, with the evident shortcomings in the current positive legislation, are sufficient reasons to point the need of adopting new legislation solutions to the scientific and professional public, in order to avoid “legal” manipulations but also avoiding the guilty of serious criminal offenses.