This book explores victims' views of plea negotiations and the level of input that they desire. It draws on the empirical findings of the first in-depth study of victims and plea negotiations conducted in Australia. Over the last 50 years, the criminal justice system has seen major changes in both the role that victims play in the justice process and in how the vast majority of criminal cases are finalised. Guilty pleas have become the norm, and many of these result from negotiations between the prosecutor and the defence. The extent to which the victim is one of the participating parties in plea negotiations however, is a question of law and of practice. Drawing from focus groups and surveys with victims of crime, Victims and Plea Negotiations seeks to privilege victims' voices and lived experiences of plea negotiations, to present their perspectives on five options for enhanced participation in this legal process. This book appeals to academics and students in the areas of law, criminology, sociology, victimology and legal studies, those who practice in the criminal justice system generally, those who work with victims, and policy makers.

Arie Freiberg is Emeritus Professor at Monash University, Australia. He holds adjunct positions with the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre, Victoria University, Melbourne, and the Australia and New Zealand School of Government, and he has authored over 180 publications.
Asher Flynn is Associate Professor of Criminology at Monash University, Australia. She is a leading international researcher in policy and prevention concerning gendered and sexual violence, and AI and technology-facilitated abuse. Asher has published 6 books, including Plea Negotiations: Pragmatic Justice In An Imperfect World (2018) with Arie Freiberg.