The academic theory of the courtroom workgroup has four cornerstone concepts that recognize this fact: Speed, Pragmatic Cynicism, Collegiality, and Secrecy.
Defense attorneys in public defender offices often do not have sufficient time to prepare a case in detail for all of their clients.
Typically, public defenders will meet briefly with clients in holding facilities or jails.
The courtroom workgroup shows remarkable explanatory power in overburdened courts dealing with large caseloads.
The courtroom workgroup model is best suited to explain jurisdictions where defense attorneys are more or less permanently assigned, but even occasionally appointed lawyers can participate in these practices.
Boland, Brady, Tyson, & Bassler (1983) indicate that approximately 90 percent of criminal cases are settled by plea bargain.
Some collaborative efforts on the part of the courtroom workgroup simply must be present to facilitate this high percentage of pleas.