What Does It Mean to Take a Plea Deal
A plea bargain, or plea deal, is a mutual agreement, or compromise, between a prosecutor and a defendant, whereby the defendant pleads guilty to certain charges in exchange for an elimination of less serious charges or lighter consequences during the sentencing phase.
Most cases (90-95%) in the United States end in some form of a plea deal. Once a deal is worked out and agreed upon, a judge must approve of the agreement, and it must be stated aloud in court.
An agreement can also be made at any time during the criminal process, even during a trial, as long as the jury has not yet claimed a verdict.
A verdict can sometimes resemble a negotiation. It is important that your rights are upheld, and that the outcome is based upon any actual evidence against you. Whether you decide to take a plea deal is up to you, under the advice of your attorney. They want what is best for you and your future.
The Defendant’s Perspective
In a plea bargain, your expected prison-time or fines could be reduced and charges dropped, which is appealing to almost everyone. A defendant can also agree to a plea if they are ready to fully admit that they are guilty and are accepting of the punishment promised during the negotiation.
The goal of a plea deal, from a defendant’s perspective, is to keep from going to court and sitting through a public criminal trial that may release certain information that you do not want the public to know. A trial takes a long time and costs a lot of money in court and attorney fees. Many times, we just want to get this over and done with.
In a plea bargain, you must admit that you are guilty of the charges that the prosecution has decided to charge you with.
The Prosecution: Overcharging Is Possible
From the perspective of the prosecution, a plea bargain is a way to swiftly complete a case and get it out of the way for more complex and serious cases. They can claim a guilty verdict for their records while you enjoy a few less consequences.
At times, and without effective representation on your part, a more zealous prosecutor can overcharge a person accused of a crime in order to scare them into a deal. If they believe that the defendant, or their representation, can be swayed by such charges, and that they can get away with it, you may be given charges that are excessive or that don’t seem to make sense.
A knowledgeable, powerful, and effective local Tennessee attorney can make all the difference in your case. Whether you want to take a plea or go to trial, you need a pitbull in your corner who has experience in both arenas.
The Slaughter Law Firm is ready and available to discuss your charges and what it means to take a plea deal, whenever you are.
