Uncover Hidden Reasons Criminal Cases Avoid Trial Process

Most criminal cases never go to trial—around 90–95% are resolved through plea bargains or dismissals. Prosecutors and defense attorneys often weigh evidence strength, sentencing risk, costs, and court backlogs when deciding whether to negotiate. This article explains the hidden factors that keep cases out of court, including plea deal dynamics, evidentiary issues, diversion programs, and strategic defense considerations.

Ray Hrdlicka – Host – Attorneys.Media

“If I may, one of the things I know about the criminal court cases, because there’s about 11 million arrests every single year in the United States. Very few of those actually go to trial. Right?”

Spencer Freeman – Criminal Defense Attorney – Pierce County, WA

“That’s correct.”

Ray Hrdlicka – Host – Attorneys.Media

“So, does that mean that plea bargaining occurs in all the other ones?”

Spencer Freeman – Criminal Defense Attorney – Pierce County, WA

“It’s hard to say when you use such absolute language as in ‘all the other ones’. Some of those other ones…the case may get dismissed for a various number of reasons. Defense motion to dismiss or witness evidentiary problems results in the case being dismissed. Some sort of constitutional violation that results in the case being dismissed. So, to say ‘all of the other ones’ have plea bargaining that ends the case is incorrect.”