Plea deals play an important role in the criminal justice system because they enable prosecutors and the courts to focus on cases that can’t be resolved without a trial. For the defendants, there is some measure of control over the outcome of the case, but this doesn’t mean that they are appropriate in all cases.
Prosecutors work with defense attorneys to come up with a deal that addresses the charge at hand while providing a fair sentence for the defendant in exchange for a no contest or guilty plea. There are many factors that go into working out the agreement.
Plea deals can include a few points, depending on the case. Two types of bargains are more common than the other. The two most common are charge bargaining, which can involve a reduction of the charge to one that’s less serious, and sentence bargaining, which means the defendant agrees to a specific sentence recommendation. The third type is fact bargaining, which means that certain facts about the case won’t be included in exchange for the plea.
One thing that defendants must remember when they’re considering a plea deal is that they can’t appeal the case if they agree to a plea. The court will have to approve the deal, and there is a chance that the judge could deviate from the sentence recommendation that’s part of the deal.
Only individuals who admit they committed a crime should consider entering into a plea. If you assert your innocence, you likely shouldn’t attempt to work out a plea deal. Instead, you may work with your defense team to work out your strategy.
