Ada Roman, beloved sister, mother, aunt, cousin and friend, tragically had her life taken away. The heartache has only been compounded as her killer faces an easy plea bargain. Our plea process urgently requires reform. It must be transparent, inclusive, and fair, not only towards the defendants but also towards the victims and their families. We're calling for a system that respects the rights and concerns of victims and their families. Victims and/or their families should be granted the right to approve or deny a plea deal in favor of a trial. If the defendant is protected by the 6th Amendment and has the right to face his accuser in court, it's only fair that the victim also retains the right to face the defendant in court and bypass any plea deals if they so wish. Right now, it feels as if the system unsurprisingly favours the accused while dismissing the rights and concerns of victims and their loved ones. This is not a singular incident but a pattern repeated in countless courtrooms. For instance, a study by the Bureau of Justice Statistics showed that in 2018, approximately 90% of all convicted defendants plead guilty. All too often, these plea bargains are conducted behind closed doors, with victims and their families left in the cold (source: Bureau of Justice Statistics). We are not calling for an abolishment of plea bargains. They have their place in our justice system. What we demand is reform. A plea bargain must not be an easy way out. It must respect the rights and concerns of victims and their families. The victims and their families deserve a voice in the process that determines the fate of the person responsible for their pain. There’s evidence showing that less than 5% of cases go to trial in the U.S., leading to victims and their families often feeling left out of the judicial process (Source: National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers) also a study by the Vera Institute of Justice found that 90-95% of both state and federal cases result in plea deals. This staggering percentage underlines an institutionalized over-reliance on such deals without a balanced focus on the rights and feelings of victims and their families. According to the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, prosecutors have sole discretion in deciding on plea deals, often leaving victims and their families feeling disenfranchised and robbed of justice. This echoes our experience with Ada's case where justice feels distant and unattainable. In memory of Ada and countless victims silenced by the system, join us in demanding justice. You have a voice too. Join us in pushing for fair, balanced, and robust plea process reforms that value all parties. Sign this petition today.