Also, in cases they seem likely to lose, it makes more sense to strike plea bargains, he said. Kenton County dismisses or amends down 33 percent of its DUI cases. Each of those factors makes a jury conviction less likely. A guilty plea even on a lesser charge is better than nothing, Edmondson said. I'll be happy to take it up in the courts if I have to,'' he said.
Many court officials think plea bargains are necessary compromises.
In Clay County, where 32 percent of DUI cases in the past three years were dismissed or amended down, Sheriff Edward Jordan complained that people who are menaces on the roads can pass through courtrooms with little or no punishment. Clay County Attorney Clay Bishop Jr. said his biggest obstacle is police officers who skip court appearances. When the judge calls a case and the arresting officer can't be found, there is pressure to drop the charges or amend them to something less serious for a plea bargain, Bishop said. In the Clay County seat of Manchester, city police Chief Dennis Rice conceded that his officers miss about one-third of their scheduled hearings. These are officers on the night shift.