How Will I Know If a Plea Deal Is Worth It?

The most common way for a criminal case to end is through a plea bargain. Criminal trials where a jury declares the defendant innocent or guilty are the exception rather than the rule. If plea bargains are the likely result of criminal charges, it’s important to know whether the deal offered is worth it.

Consider Who’s Offering the Deal

Prosecutors offer deals for various reasons. Perhaps the top reason is that they have a large pile of cases to handle after yours. They want a conviction, yes, but they also want to close the matter quickly. Judges approve plea bargains for the same reason. They have a backlog of cases and want to get to all of them as soon as possible.

It’s important to understand that the prosecutor is not offering you a deal to help you out. If the plea offer is justice, why did they choose to charge you with more than that in the first place? The last person you can trust to have your best interests at heart is the person prosecuting you.

What Will Accepting the Plea Deal Mean for You?

It would help if you were clear on what it would mean for you to accept the plea offer. For example, exactly how long will you go to jail or prison? What will your responsibilities be after you get out? Will you lose your job? Will you lose your home? Will you lose your kids? Will you be able to clear your record in the future?

Understanding the full impact of a criminal conviction is essential. If you plead guilty and later find out you were misled about what the deal included, you won’t be able to turn back.

Allow a Skilled Attorney to Direct Your Steps

Criminal cases are all about the facts and evidence at hand. Two cases can look alike from the outside but end up with totally different results. Small things can change a case entirely. 

It takes a lot of criminal defense experience to recognize a good plea deal from a bad one. Your attorney must take the time to understand your position. How will the deal affect your life and your family? Can you afford to accept a plea bargain? Can you afford not to? 

Your experienced criminal defense lawyer must work with you to give you the tools you need to decide whether a plea offer is a good one.

Call Us for Strong Criminal Defense Representation

At White & Associates, our experienced Elk River criminal defense team is committed to helping you get justice. We can guide you through the process, safeguarding your rights from start to finish. Call us today at 763-241-0477  or fill out a form to learn more.

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