Any topic (writer’s choice)

This written assignment requires you to research EITHER the criminal law concept of plea bargaining or the rise in the use of mediation or arbitration to avert civil trials.
The American court system is overrun with opportunity for trials. Concepts designed to assist in alleviating the heavy load include plea bargaining (in criminal trials) and mediation or binding arbitration (in civil trials or negotiations in advance of trial).
Your assignment is to find a recent example of one of these methods in your home state.
Discuss the process involved and the outcome and then provide your opinion about the advisability of using these tools instead of allowing actual trials to decide the outcomes.