Australian Journal of Asian Law

Plea-Bargaining: Socio-Legal Impacts on the Criminal Justice System of Bangladesh

Volume 19, No. 2, 2019

Md Pizuar Hossain, Tureen Afroz

The possibility of introducing plea-bargaining in the Bangladesh criminal justice system has been much debated. It is argued that it is necessary to ensure the speedy disposal of cases, save time and money, and reduce the caseload of courts and prison overcrowding. The counter arguments include that if it is introduced in Bangladesh, it will deprive citizens of constitutionally-recognised rights and increase the risk of arbitrariness in criminal trials. This article considers both sides of the debate and proposes guidelines and procedures for a system of plea-bargaining that take into account the unique socio-legal circumstances of Bangladesh.