No, I don't think it's necessarily the burden of proof that leads to plea bargaining. That has to do with larger issues of overcharging, of what would be acceptable for a plea, similar to the mandatory minimum section. I would strongly say that lowering the burden of proof would not be a cure to any of the ills I've suggested.
I'd be very disappointed if that were the cure, because that's a bigger problem, given the stakes that are involved with this sort of charge. There should be a strict and constitutional burden of proof that shouldn't be alleviated, and I wouldn't suggest lowering the burden of proof. I don't suggest that would deal with any of the issues that I've raised.