[tinalumfoil]

I'm not a lawyer but every time I look at the criminal justice system I do wonder how it could be constitutional given the strong protections of the bill of rights.

> Recall how plea deals are structured, and how the entire purpose of a suspended jail sentence is to dangle the anvil over someone’s head to “encourage” them to do the things they’re supposed to do.

Is this really how the founders meant justice to be pursued? You get picked up for an illegal substance and, in exchange for a reasonable punishment, you have to give up your right to a jury trial? And your punishment is often that you give up another constitution right -- like by being monitored 24/7? But you're not guaranteed that's your only punishment, you also give up the right to a jury trial in the future so if you break parole they drop an anvil on you without any process or standard of evidence?

I'd be curious if I'm mistaken and this was all very common in federal trials of post-revolution America.