The Prosecutor’s Proposal of Punishment and the Criminal Defendant’s Pleadings

After the interrogation of the defendant and examination of the evidence, the prosecutor must provide an opinion as to the facts and the application of the law. In other words, the prosecutor will make a proposal of punishment. The court, however, will not be swayed by the prosecutor’s proposal of punishment. After the presiding judge hears the opinion of the prosecutor, he/she will give the defendant and the defense counsel an opportunity to offer a final statement.