A plea bargain is a deal made between the prosecutor and defendant where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for reduced charges or a lighter sentence. Plea deals are fairly common—in fact, it’s estimated that over 90% of criminal cases are settled this way—but, they’re not the best option in every case. When should you accept a plea deal? Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you say “yes”:
Is it really a bargain?
Your attorney will be responsible for negotiating the terms of the plea deal with the prosecutor. Before you accept a deal, it’s important to think about what you are getting out of it. Both sides must be willing to compromise something in order for it to truly be a bargain. Therefore, plea bargains are usually somewhere in the middle between what the prosecutor wants and what the defendant wants. If the terms of the deal seem to be one-sided, it’s not really a bargain and it shouldn’t be accepted.
Do I understand the consequences of pleading guilty?
Every defendant needs to understand what it means to plead guilty as part of a plea bargain. Many defendants think that they can avoid some of the consequences of having a conviction on their record by pleading guilty, but that’s not the case. If you decide to plead guilty as part of a plea bargain, it will show up as a criminal conviction on your record. This means you will face the same challenges as defendants who are found guilty by a jury. Think about how a conviction will affect your future before accepting a plea deal.
What does my attorney think?
Defendants should always speak with an attorney before accepting a plea deal. An attorney will be able to review the details of your case to determine if a plea deal is in your best interest. If your attorney believes that the state has a strong case against you, he may recommend accepting the plea deal instead of risking it by going to trial. However, if he believes that a jury will not find you guilty, then he may suggest going to trial instead of giving in and taking the deal.
If you have been charged with a crime, it’s in your best interest to get in touch with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. The criminal defense attorneys at Reisch Law Firm will guide you through the legal process and ensure that you are making the best decisions for your future. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 303-291-0555 or filling out this online form.
