刑事協商制度之研究-以美國法為借鏡

Improving Taiwan’s Plea-Bargain System-A Lesson from the U.S. Law

為改善司法體系過勞問題，我國於2004年借鏡美國認罪協商精神增訂刑事訴訟法第七編之一協商程序，期盼透過協商程序的妥善運用，達到紓減司法負擔，進而改善司法裁判品質，最終使人民權利獲得保障之效果。然而，根據司法院統計數據顯示，自協商程序增訂以來，實務以協商程序作為處理案件途徑比例甚低，近年來亦少有針對完善我國認罪協商制度之討論，實有深入討論的必要。
本文首先概述我國協商程序增訂時之背景與目的以作為後續研究之開端。其次，剖析美國認罪協商制度與我國協商程序之法律架構與實務運作情形，並透過比較兩國制度之異同以作為我國協商程序之檢討與參考。再次，透過實證研究分析，除藉司法院統計數據呈現我國簡易型審理程序（即協商程序與簡易程序）於實務使用情況，並以質性研究方式訪談與協商程序密切相關之法官、檢察官與律師取得專業意見，勾勒出協商程序實務運作面貌及釐清造成現行制度不受青睞之可能影響因素。最後，本文提出改善現行制度之建議，即「重新定位協商程序及做出市場區別性」，並提出再借鏡美國經驗改善我國制度可能作法與須搭配之配套措施以完善協商制度之設計。期盼本文之研究得作為未來擬定刑事政策之參考。

In order to address the issue of overwork in the judicial system, Taiwan drew inspiration from the United States’plea-bargaining system and amended the bargaining process in Part VII of the Criminal Procedure Law in 2004. Specifically, this was designed to minimise court workload through the appropriate use of the bargaining process to improve the quality of court rulings and ultimately ensure the protection of people’s rights. However, according to statistics from the Judicial Yuan, the practical application of the bargaining process to resolve cases has been relatively low since its introduction. In recent years, there has also been a lack of substantial discussions regarding the enhancement of Taiwan’s plea-bargaining system, underscoring the necessity for in-depth deliberation on this matter.
This dissertation begins by providing an overview of the background and objectives of the amendment to the plea-bargaining system in Taiwan. Secondly, it analyses the legal framework and practical operation of the plea-bargaining system in the United States and the bargaining process in Taiwan. Moreover, it compares the similarities and differences between the two systems in question to review Taiwanese system. Furthermore, through empirical research analysis, it presents the practical utilization of Taiwan’s simplified trial procedures (i.e., the bargaining process and summary proceeding) based on statistical data from the Judicial Yuan. It also employs qualitative research methods to interview judges, prosecutors, and lawyers closely involved with the plea-bargaining system to obtain professional opinions. This helps outline the operational aspects of the bargaining process and clarifying potential factors contributing to the current system’s lack of popularity. Lastly, this dissertation proposes suggestions for improving the existing system, specifically“repositioning the plea-bargaining system and making market differentiation,”and presents potential measures and complementary actions based on further inspiration and experience from the United States to enhance Taiwan’s system design. It is hoped that this research will serve as a reference for future development of criminal policies.