认罪认罚从宽(rènzuì rènfá cóngkuān): Plea bargaining in criminal lawsuits

A draft law to be piloted in 18 cities proposes giving lighter penalties to suspects that plead guilty to their crimes. The draft has been submitted to the country's top legislature, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, for deliberation.

Zhou Qiang, head of the Supreme People's Court, explained the draft to the NPC Standing Committee on behalf of the SPC and the Supreme People's Procuratorate. He said that while the number of serious crimes was down, there are a growing number of non-serious criminal cases nationwide, which means a heavier workload for the judicial staff.

Besides, in some minor criminal cases, it is hard to obtain evidence, and if the defendants plead guilty voluntarily that will better defend justice.

By introducing the system, they will raise the efficiency of the judiciary and better defend justice, as well as better protect the rights of those accused of crimes.

According to the draft, only defendants that willingly plead guilty and sign depositions will receive lighter penalties.

Zhou also said that the pilot would be strictly supervised by the Ministry of Public Security and the SPP, so as to prevent any misuse.