The legal term plea bargain is something you have heard somewhere, maybe in court or a movie. This usually means that the government representative, the prosecutor, and the accused person enter a contract.
The defendant will admit wrongdoing if they get a lighter sentence or fewer charges.
The problem is, what do you do if you take that trade?
What is a Plea Bargain?
Saving time and money are advantages to the government, and the subject may escape from a more extended period of imprisonment.
Reasons to Consider a Plea Bargain
1. Avoiding Jail Time
One of the primary motivating factors people accept plea bargains is avoiding serving long prison terms. However, if an individual is found to be relatively protected from a possible severe conviction if a jury trial occurs, the outcome of a plea bargain would likely be safer. For example, instead of spending 10 years in jail, they could spend only 2 years there.
2. Less Stress and Uncertainty
Going to trial can be very stressful. You never know what will happen. Will the judge be friendly? Will the jury believe you? Acceptance of a plea bargain is often sought because it offers certainty about what will happen next rather than giving people a clear understanding of what will occur next.
Like a good florist picking just the right flowers to create a bouquet, defendants have to evaluate the strength of the prosecution’s case and potential outcomes. For example, if the evidence against you is firm, taking a plea bargain may be the better course than risking a longer sentence at trial.
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3. Faster Resolution
Trials can take a long time—sometimes even years! A plea bargain helps solve things much faster. Thus, the defendant can resume his/her living more quickly, as opposed to when the trial date may be too long in the future.
4. Lower Charges or Sentences
On rare occasions, when the accused pleads guilty, they often accept a lesser crime than the one they were charged with. Put differently, they would no longer be a “serious criminal” but instead be a misdemeanour.
When Should You Be Careful?
Plea bargains are helpful, but there are situations when you should be cautious about saying yes:
1. Understanding Your Rights
From the defendant’s point of view, defendants must know what they agree to before doing so. They should talk to a lawyer who knows about criminal law—like a Milton criminal lawyer—to ensure they make the best choice.
2. The Risk of Pleading Guilty
By accepting a plea bargain, it is like you have accepted that you have committed a crime. This could shape your career in a broad sense, i.e., work and/or dwelling place. Not to mention what effect this choice may have on your life afterwards.
3. Not All Deals Are Good Deals
Sometimes, prosecutors may offer deals that aren’t very good. It is paramount to compare what you can expect from appearing in court to the plea deal. A good lawyer can help with this comparison.
Conclusion
Whether or not to accept a plea bargain is far from trivial. It requires weighing the pros and cons of not going to jail and suffering the pain it causes with the cons of pleading guilty and its future cost. Legal advice should always be sought from a seasoned lawyer like the Milton criminal lawyer. They can lead you through this, tell you what to do, and help you make the right decision.