Many criminal cases end in plea deals, in which a defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for more favorable treatment from the trial court. Many factors go into whether a plea deal is right in a given situation. If you’re considering taking one in your case, it’s crucial that you discuss your situation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer.
Types of Plea Deals
Prosecutors and defendants may negotiate various types of plea deals. Some of the most common types include:
- Charge bargaining: In a charge bargaining plea deal, prosecutors agree to drop or reduce the grading of some of a defendant’s charges in exchange for the defendant’s guilty plea to other charges. These plea deals usually allow defendants to avoid conviction on the more serious charges they face.
- Sentence bargaining: In sentence bargaining, prosecutors agree to recommend a more favorable sentence in exchange for the defendant’s guilty plea. Such plea deals allow defendants to avoid the possibility of harsher punishments at trial.
- Fact bargaining: In a fact bargaining plea deal, prosecutors and a defendant may agree to stipulate to specific facts or to limit evidence presented in court. Fact bargaining can help decrease a defendant’s sentencing exposure by precluding the prosecution from proving aggravating factors that may increase a sentence.
When Should You Negotiate a Plea Deal?
You may consider negotiating a plea deal in your criminal case when the prosecution has overwhelming evidence and seems likely to secure a conviction at trial. Even when prosecutors have a high chance of success at trial, they typically favor plea deals as they avoid the prosecutor’s office needing to spend time and resources on trial and represent a defendant’s acceptance of responsibility for their actions. A criminal defense attorney can review your case to determine whether a plea deal gives you the best option for resolving your charges.
Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney Today
Have prosecutors made a plea offer in your criminal case? If so, talk to a criminal defense attorney to discuss the appropriateness of negotiating a plea deal. Contact J. Kippa Law, LLC today for a confidential consultation with our legal team to review your options.
