Some cases can be disposed of without the need for a trial. In fact, the vast majority are.

If the
accused confesses his or her guilt, a shorter process may be employed and a judgment may be
rendered more quickly. Some nations, such as America, allow plea bargaining in which the
accused pleads guilty, nolo contendere or not guilty, and may accept a diversion program or
reduced punishment, where the prosecution's case is weak or in exchange for the cooperation of
the accused against other people. This reduced sentence is sometimes a reward for sparing the
state the expense of a formal trial. Many nations do not permit the use of plea bargaining,
believing that it coerces innocent people to plead guilty in an attempt to avoid a harsh
punishment. The courts nowadays are seeking alternative measures as opposed to throwing
someone into prison right away.[10] Corrections and rehabilitation[edit]

The Huntsville Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Huntsville, Texas is a prison, a component of a

corrections system

Main article:  Corrections

Offenders are then turned over to the correctional authorities, from the court system after the accused has
been found guilty. Like all other aspects of criminal justice, the administration of punishment has taken
many different forms throughout history. Early on, when civilizations lacked the resources necessary to
construct and maintain prisons, exile and execution were the primary forms of punishment.
Historically shame punishments and exile have also been used as forms of censure.
The most publicly visible form of punishment in the modern era is the prison. Prisons may serve as
detention centers for prisoners after trial. For containment of the accused, jails are used. Early prisons
were used primarily to sequester criminals and little thought was given to living conditions within their
walls. In America, the Quaker movement is commonly credited with establishing the idea that prisons
should be used to reform criminals. This can also be seen as a critical moment in the debate regarding
the purpose of punishment.

The entire trial process, whatever the country, is fraught with problems and subject to
criticism. Bias and discrimination form an ever-present threat to an objective decision. Any prejudice on
the part of the lawyers, the judge, or jury members threatens to destroy the court's credibility. Some
people argue that the often Byzantine rules governing courtroom conduct and processes restrict a
layman's ability to participate, essentially reducing the legal process to a battle between the lawyers. In
this case, the criticism is that the decision is based less on sound justice and more on the lawyer's
eloquence and charisma. This is a particular problem when the lawyer performs in a substandard manner.
The jury process is another area of frequent criticism, as there are few mechanisms to guard against poor
judgment or incompetence on the part of the layman jurors. Judges themselves are very subject to bias
subject to things as ordinary as the length of time since their last break.[11]
Manipulations of the court system by defense and prosecution attorneys, law enforcement as well as the
defendants have occurred and there have been cases where justice was denied.