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Plea bargains are an integral part of our judicial system.

They not only save precious resources in our overburdened courts by eliminating the need for often-lengthy trials, but also spare victims of the emotionally draining need to testify.

They also bring certainty to both the Crown and defence. That’s why the Supreme Court says judges should be extremely loath to reject joint submissions presented before them.

A true joint submission involves “quid pro quo,” a Latin phase roughly meaning “something for something.”

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Both the Crown and defence must give up something before one a plea bargain is presented. Generally the defence gives up the chance at an acquittal for the certainty of a specific sentence, while the prosecution avoids running the risk of an acquittal.

Such was the case of fraud suspect Alana Love Duncan, who........

© Calgary Herald