Should You Accept A Plea Bargain?

Plea bargains are legal agreements used in criminal proceedings. As its name suggests, it is a bargain (or deal) offered in exchange for a certain plea. In criminal situations, the prosecution may offer the defendant a plea bargain in order to get the defendant to submit a guilty plea. Plea bargains vary greatly from case to case, but in general, they are used to get the defendant to admit guilt to a certain crime in exchange for a lighter or lesser sentence. In some cases, the defendant may also be able to have certain charges dismissed if he or she admits to one or more of the other pending charges.

The Camden County criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. are here to help you get a better understanding of how plea bargains work and what you should know before accepting one.

 Advantages Of Plea Bargains

 If a plea bargain is not used, the defendant is granted his right to a trial. Trials can be time-consuming and expensive, so the judge may welcome a plea bargain as a more affordable and less time-consuming alternative. If it appears that the evidence may be questionable, the prosecution may welcome a plea bargain to avoid the time and trouble of trying to convince a judge or jury.

 Plea bargains can also be advantageous to defendants. Depending on the circumstances, they may offer one or more of the following benefits:
  • The opportunity to have fewer offenses on record
  • The opportunity to have less serious offenses on record
  • The opportunity to get out of jail sooner
  • The opportunity to save money
  • The opportunity to resolve the matter much more quickly
  • The opportunity to avoid the publicity of a trial 
  • The opportunity to protect others involved from being investigated

Cautions Against Plea Bargains

 As the defendant, accepting a plea bargain may be your best option in some cases. Before accepting, however, it is crucial to make sure that you completely understand the terms of the agreement and all that it will entail. Once a plea bargain has been formalized and the judge has entered a final judgment on your case, changing your plea may be extremely difficult (if possible).

 It is important to note that plea bargains are legally binding agreements. Once you have officially accepted a plea bargain, you will be legally required to uphold your end of the agreement. Failure to do so may result in harsh penalties. By the same token, the prosecution is also required to uphold their end of the bargain. If they fail to do so, you may be able to pursue legal recourse to defend your position.

 Contact Your Criminal Defense Attorney For Counsel

 Your criminal defense attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks can help you examine the proposed plea bargain to help you better understand the big picture it presents. If you are having trouble making a decision, your attorney can also provide sound legal counsel on whether or not accepting the plea bargain makes sense for your specific situation. If you are facing criminal charges, it is important to secure quality representation as quickly as possible. Contact our Missouri criminal defense team to get started.

Law Offices of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C.
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