There's also a third option, people who can't (at the time) afford a lawyer to represent them.
Even in minor court cases, to plead not guilty and take a case to trial costs thousands of dollars. In jail-able offenses, some municipal courts don't have public defenders. And if you are innocent and unwilling to take a plea deal, your only option can be spending $3000+ to defend yourself against a minor misdemeanor charge.
(I realize these people are mostly charged with felonies it seems.)
> (I realize these people are mostly charged with felonies it seems.)
That doesn't necessarily make them more guilty.
It shouldn't cost any money at all to defend in a criminal case unless you wish to bring your own lawyer, and court provided lawyers should do better than they usually do.
Denonciations are a bad thing if you believe that someone who didn't get caught in the act should be able to escape
972 - est-tu de Martinique ?