You might be thinking that a plea deal is heaven-sent. After all, you will likely face a reduced sentence depending on the terms of the agreement with the prosecution. However, everything is not as it seems.
Rushing into accepting a plea deal is a mistake many people make, only to come back and regret their decision when it is too late to do anything about it. Remember, a plea deal is not always in your best interests. In many cases, the prosecution ensures it has the upper hand.
Therefore, before agreeing to a plea bargain, you need to consider these crucial questions:
What are your chances against the initial charges?
If you stand a chance to defend against the initial charges successfully, you should consider going to trial. A trial means you may be convicted of a crime, but a plea deal guarantees it.
Are you ready to give up your rights?
You may lose your right to trial by jury or to question witnesses if you accept a plea deal. In most cases, you also lose the right to appeal the sentence, as well. Therefore, you need to be ready to make some sacrifices if you will accept a deal with the prosecution.
The final decision lies with you
A plea deal cannot be forced on you. Eventually, you will have to make the final call even if you were not involved in coming up with the deal. Learning more about plea deals will help you make the right call in such a situation.
If you’re facing serious charges for a violent crime, don’t assume that a plea deal is in your best interests until you’ve had a chance to fully explore all your defense options.