Episode 118: Plea Negotiations, Plea Negotiations, and More Plea Negotiations

In this Episode, in addition to touching on some recent news, I discuss the plethora of reports asserting that many of the main cartel figures in custody in the U.S. are engaged in plea negotiations with federal prosecutors.   Specifically, I discuss the nature and prevalence of plea agreements in the federal criminal justice system.  Then I look at the specific reports of plea discussions with Ovidio Guzman, Joaquin Guzman, and El Mayo, including what each may offer to prosecutors and possible impediments to plea agreements. Finally, I consider the value and wisdom of some of the government's plea-bargaining strategy and question how long that strategy can (or should) continue.