A person who is facing criminal charges might be offered a plea deal to resolve their case. When the defendant admits they committed the crime at hand, this can be a useful way to resolve the matter because it gets the case finished faster than what’s possible if they have to go through a trial. There are several points that might be included in a plea bargain, so understanding exactly what’s being offered in your case is beneficial.
Many plea deals focus on setting specific penalties in exchange for a specific plea. This is the sentence that the prosecution will suggest to the judge. Most of the time, the judge will accept the sentence when they accept the plea deal, but it is possible that they will change the sentence a bit. You should be prepared for this possibility when you accept a plea deal.
Sometimes, the plea deal will include you pleading guilty to a lesser charge than what you were originally facing. This can mean that you don’t have to worry about the sentence being as serious. Charge bargaining can sometimes turn a felony charge into a misdemeanor, but this isn’t always the case.
Other forms of plea deals are also possible, so be sure that you speak to your attorney about what might be possible for your defense strategy. While you’re working this out, remember that you have to waive your right to appeal when you use a plea deal to resolve your case. Instead, you’ll have to deal with all the impacts of the conviction and sentence.