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This study examined the lived experiences of female felony trial prosecutors in the State of Florida in terms of their identification of both legal and non-legal factors they deem important to consider while using their discretion and decision-making powers in the plea bargain process It also addressed how these prosecutors learned to administer their discretion and decision-making authority regarding the plea bargaining process. This study used an interpretive qualitative phenomenological method and approach implementing inductive reasoning with data collected from a purposive participant centered sample used to study female felony prosecutorial identification of factors to be considered and examined while using discretion and decision-making authority pertaining to the plea bargaining process. The theoretical component of this writing was addressed via the use of Bandura´s social learning theory. The researcher accomplished the data collection via the use of semi-structured interviews implementing open-ended and guiding questions. The participants comprising the purposive sample came from several Offices of the State Attorney and the Office of the Attorney General´s in Florida.

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Prof. Dr. Peter A. Barone, Esq., Ph.D., LL.M., JD, has been in law enforcement since 1975 at the city, county, state, federal and military levels. Is the Chair of a Criminal Justice Program and Researcher and Consultant in the area of death cases and various topics in the field of criminology and criminal justice and Officer Involved Shootings.

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