Several cases make it to a courtroom, but even more do not. Much like personal injury claims, before coming into a courtroom, the legal teams for a plaintiff and defendant in criminal cases negotiate together. Plea bargains are put in place to possibly avoid jail time or avoid a trial and risking the maximum punishment. In certain cases, plea bargains are put in place to accept a lesser charge. In driving under the influence (DUI) cases, a defendant may accept a charge of reckless driving for smaller penalties than a DUI conviction. Plea bargain deals can be made at any point of the criminal case.
Plea bargains in criminal cases are equivalent to settlements in personal injury cases in that they make it possible to come to a resolution sooner than later. Prosecutors get their charge, and criminal defense attorneys save their client a lot of trouble. With less cases brought to trial, this saves time and money in the justice system.
It is important to understand that you do not have to accept just any plea deal out of fear of your freedom. Some plea bargains are offered if prosecution has a weak case, and some are simply to save you. While you may be able to negotiate, these are not to be taken lightly and typically have a time limit to accept.
Before declining or accepting a plea bargain, be sure to speak with a skilled criminal defense attorney who is able to review your case and may be able to get you something better than what is being offered to you. With the right attorney, your case can be pleaded in court no matter what the prosecution is offering, and you can possibly have a better outcome. The right attorney can reassure you of what is or is not a good deal to accept, sometimes taking your case to trial is the better option.
A skilled attorney can negotiate better terms of a plea for you and sometimes fight to get your record sealed. If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime, you do not have to beat the charge alone. You are definitely not entitled to accept what prosecution is offering just because they are pressing charges. Speak with a criminal defense attorney, like one from the Lynch Law Group, as soon as possible so that you can get the best outcome possible in regards to your freedom.