Tackling a criminal case can be insanely stressful, especially if you belong to the defendant’s party. But, fortunately, almost 90% of such issues tend to get resolved by a plea bargain. So, if you’ve been charged with a crime, you’ll have the chance to accept the same.
But, how do you make the most out of your situation?
Well, when it comes to taking care of your plea deal, you’ll need to follow through a proper proceeding. Keep reading to know more about it.
Plea Bargain – What Is It Really?
A plea bargain, in essence, a type of negotiable agreement occurring in a criminal felony. In this case, the prosecution and the defendant will agree on how they can settle the problem or charge without the trial. For the defendant, it might be the best chance to reduce the risk of failing the case or lowering the maximum sentence.
However, the downside of accepting a plea deal is that you’ll lose almost all of your ability to challenge the charge. Hence, even if you were right from your side, you still won’t be able to win the case anymore. But, if you were guilty, on the other hand, you may get probation in lieu of going to jail or something even worse.
Type Of Plea Deals
A plea deal will always focus on reducing the sentence or the charge. Hence, in most cases, you can only negotiate the following properly –
- Requesting A Less Severe Sentence: In case you’re facing a jail time of two to ten years, you may ask for the minimum sentence in a plea deal. If you were undergoing a death penalty, you may also end up avoiding execution, if you’re lucky.
- Reducing The Charge Count: If you’re facing three or more charges, you may ask the prosecutor to reduce the number by one. Taking the help of a criminal defense lawyer in Kansas City can be beneficial in this case.
- Downgrading The Offense: Finally, you can also downgrade the offense, as long as it is related to misdemeanor or something as such. This can reduce your penalty rate to some extent, but make it impossible for you to plead once again.
How To Negotiate For A Plea Bargain?
Negotiating for a plea bargain can be quite confusing, especially if you’re trying to work out alone. Hence, before you take any step, hiring a professional attorney will be ideal for you.
They’ll accompany you from the beginning to the end of the whole case. And, they’re the only person whom you can trust during the proceeding. So, don’t hide anything from them.
Now, to the important part.
Remember, opting for a plea bargain will take away your final change of showcasing that you are actually innocent. Hence, think closely about the outcome before making a decision.
Also, if you’re considering the plea deal provided by the prosecution, don’t forget to keep the following in mind –
- If your case is weak, be realistic and accept whatever they’re offering you. Remember to talk to your lawyer beforehand and ask them if they can get a better deal for you. If not, take whatever you can get. Sometimes, accepting guilt can be ideal for you too.
- See, even if it may seem so at first, you won’t get a better deal later on, at least not in most cases. Therefore, it’s always better to be flexible. But, try your best not to give in at the earliest if you believe in your innocence.
- Finally, while you’re dealing with the prosecutor, don’t forget to propose some decent alternatives from your viewpoint. Try not to be too “you-focused” in this aspect. Or else, they’ll reject the same right away.
Doing It In The Right Way!
I cannot stress this enough, but when you’re dealing with a criminal case, you HAVE TO hire an attorney for you. As mentioned before, they’ll be there with you from the beginning till the end. So, make sure to opt for the right person and then begin with the proceeding. Here’s to hoping that everything will be alright in your case.
