Why might a guilty defendant want to avoid a public trial?

A guilty defendant may choose to avoid a public trial through plea bargaining for several strategic and personal reasons:

• Limiting Sanctions: Defendants can negotiate to reduce the severity of their penalties and add certainty to an otherwise unpredictable legal process.1
• Avoiding Stigma: Trials are open to the public and may be reported by the media; some defendants plead guilty specifically to avoid this public scrutiny and the associated stigma.1
• Mitigating Risk: Trials carry no guarantee of success. By bargaining, a defendant avoids the risk of a complete loss at trial, which could result in harsher sentencing.1
• Expediency: For defendants who have been detained before trial, accepting a bargain—such as an offer of "time served"—can be a way to secure an immediate release from jail.1

While public trials are a fundamental protection intended to ensure transparency, they can sometimes attract intense media attention in spectacular cases, which may work to the detriment of the defendant. Consequently, plea bargaining serves as a mechanism for defendants to manage these risks and gain more control over the outcome of their cases.21