Can a person in Guam be convicted of a crime without a trial?

In Guam, as in many other jurisdictions, a person can indeed be convicted of a crime without going through a traditional trial process by entering into a plea bargain. A plea bargain is an agreement between the defendant and the prosecution where the defendant may agree to plead guilty to a lesser charge or to the original charge in exchange for a more lenient sentence or some other benefit. This process helps to resolve cases more quickly and can reduce the burden on the court system.

When a defendant opts for a plea bargain, they are effectively waiving their right to a trial, which is why they can be convicted without having to go through a full trial process. The court will usually conduct a hearing to ensure that the defendant understands the implications of the plea and that it is being made voluntarily.

This understanding of how plea bargains operate highlights a significant aspect of the criminal justice system, where a trial is not the only means by which a conviction can be achieved.