Explain the purpose of the adversary system in both criminal and civil cases. Use examples and address both of these questions in your answer

a. Why do guilty persons in criminal cases routinely plead not guilty?
b. Why do plaintiffs in civil cases who have been injured (i.e., suffered out-of-pocket expense) by the act(s) of the defendant to the extent of, say $25,000, customarily sue for much more, perhaps $250,000?


The basic justification for the adversary system in both civil and criminal cases is that it
produces substantially just results more frequently than non-adversary administrative proceedings.
On the other hand, the adversary system, like other systems, can be used for ulterior purposes, such as harassment of opposing parties. In criminal cases, persons guilty of crimes routinely plead not guilty to gain any number of advantages, including delay in sentencing, determination of the strength of the state's case, and possible negotiation of a plea-bargain. Perhaps prosecutors routinely initiate more serious charges than they expect easily to prove, anticipating a plea bargain.
In civil cases, since the measurement of damages can be nebulous at best (e.g., measuring the value of pain and suffering in dollars), there is no reason not to "shoot for the moon" with a huge request
that, even when whittled down by the jury, may result in a lavish award. The very next day a similar victim may receive a considerably smaller award, depending upon the vagaries of the jury system, and the relative talents of their attorneys.

Business

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Meek's Hunting Emporium is a retail store that sells equipment required for hunting

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Most of what is contained in a sales agreement is the same in the contract for a domestic representative as for an export sale. However, which of the following is among the two areas requiring special attention in an export sales contract?

A. Designation for managing promotion of the product. B. Designation of responsibilities for collection of monies. C. Designation of responsibilities for patent and trademark registration. D. Designation of the deadline and mechanisms for completing the sale.

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A corporate treasurer typically handles both the cost accounting and financial accounting

Indicate whether the statement is true or false

Business