THE DRAMATIZED, BEHIND-THE-SCENES CASE OF BURGLARY SUSPECT 'PETER RANDOLPH' IS FOLLOWED FROM HIS ARREST THROUGH SENTENCING. THE DISCUSSION OF PLEA NEGOTIATION MOVES BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE SPECIFICS OF THE GUILTY PLEA AND THE MORE GENERAL CONCERN FOR OFFICIAL DISCRETION IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. SINCE THE PROCESS LOOKS DIFFERENT TO EACH OF THE PARTICIPANTS - THE ACCUSED, THE JUDGE, THE PROSECUTOR, AND THE DEFENSE LAWYER INDIVIDUAL CHAPTERS PROVIDE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES OF THE SAME EXPERIENCE, THE PROSECUTION IN A STATE COURT OF A ROUTINE BURGLARY CHARGE. THE AUTHORS ATTEMPT TO SHOW THAT ABOLISHING THE PLEA-BARGAINING SYSTEM WOULD BE DISASTROUS AND THAT, IN FACT, THE SYSTEM IS AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO IMPROVE THE BRAND OF JUSTICE PROVIDED IN THE WRITTEN LAW. IN ADDITION, SUGGESTIONS ARE MADE FOR MAKING THE SYSTEM MORE IMPARTIAL AND RESPONSIVE TO COMMUNITY NEEDS. AN INDEX IS INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED) (SNI ABSTRACT)