New Yorkers are part of the biggest city in the country – a city that has a life of its own. And many of them are also among the smartest, most resourceful residents in the nation. But it’s important to understand that even though you might think you know what’s best for you when facing a criminal charge, it isn’t always the case. There’s a reason that criminal defense attorneys have spent so long learning their craft – so they can help you when you need it most.
A plea deal is one of those things that plenty of people assume they understand fully. But if you don’t have an attorney working for you, there’s a good chance you might end up agreeing to a bad deal. There are several things you should understand about a plea deal if you’re facing criminal charges.
- First of all, it’s worth understanding the point of a plea deal. The idea is to free up court resources by offering reduced sentences in exchange for a guilty plea. This helps reduce the workload of judges and court staff and allows defendants a chance to avoid longer sentences.
- You should remember that a plea deal isn’t always the right call. Sure, in most cases it can help you get a lesser sentence and avoid jail time. But in certain instances there’s a good chance you could avoid a guilty verdict altogether. Obviously you’ll need to turn to an attorney to help you figure out whether or not your specific deal is worth pursuing, but don’t just assume that because you’re being offered a deal that you should take it.
- However, when a good deal comes along it’s important that you know how to recognize it. Knowing what a good deal is when you see it isn’t easy, and is another reason that an attorney is a great ally to have on your side. They’ll help you identify the deal you should take and make sure that you get the lowest possible sentence possible.
Simply put, plea deals are a double edged sword. They could help you tremendously, or they could actually give you a worse outcome than you would have gotten otherwise. An attorney is a must for helping you understand whether or not you should accept a plea deal, and as such it’s vital that finding a good lawyer be one of the first things you do after being charged with a crime.