Being charged with a crime is something that can seriously impact your life in a wide variety of ways. Obviously, the fact that you have the possibility of jail time is enough to add an immense level of stress to your life. And if you’re found guilty, the consequences can be far reaching indeed. Jail terms, fines, and a criminal history that will haunt you for years are all possible.
That’s why many opt for a plea deal. A plea arrangement allows you to plead guilty to certain charges in exchange for lesser punishments. They’re designed to help relieve the courts of the burden of constant trials and to allow those who know they’re guilty to avoid the stress and concern of a long wait – while getting a lesser sentence out of the process.
But is a plea deal really right for your criminal case? This depends on a variety of different things. No two criminal charges are identical even if they appear to be – a number of circumstances will exist that mean that each case has to be looked at on its own.
There are a few things to consider when trying to determine whether or not a plea deal is right for you. These include the following.
• The Charge – Certain charges are simply harder to overcome than others. Things like a DWI are usually plead out, due to the more difficult process of defending against them. However, every charge could be defended against with the right attorney on your side.
• The Circumstances – Certain circumstances could mean that you have a better chance of having a charge dropped. The way you were arrested, the actions of the officers, the status of equipment used in the arrest, and more could all be utilized to avoid a guilty verdict.
• The Evidence – Depending on the amount of evidence against you, a plea deal may be the only option. But that’s not always the case, and in some instances it’s very possible that there are issues around the gathering of evidence that could help you avoid a guilty verdict.
As you can see, there’s a lot to figuring out whether or not a plea deal is the right call for you. To ensure that you get the best possible outcome, it’s well worth speaking with a criminal defense attorney. They’ll help explain your options and whether or not a plea arrangement is the best choice for your situation. If it is, they can also help negotiate the best plea deal for you and often help you get a lesser sentence than you would trying to cop a plea on your own.