People who are facing criminal charges often focus on what type of sentences they may receive. While this is an important factor in developing a defense strategy, there are some other things that you need to think about as you’re creating your plan.
One thing that you should consider is whether or not you’re going to try to work out a plea deal. This is an agreement between a defendant and a prosecutor that helps to resolve the case.
What should you know about a plea deal?
A plea deal must be approved by the court. This includes all the terms. In some cases, these deals contain a specific way for a defendant to plea, the exact charges to which they will plea and the sentence the person will face. It’s sometimes possible for a defendant to work out a deal with less serious charges than the original ones.
One thing that defendants need to remember about the plea deal is that they can’t appeal the case. Plea deals come with a stipulation that forbids an appeal.
Another point to remember is that the court may not accept the terms of the plea deal. The judge may change part of the deal or throw it out completely.
In some cases, plea bargains are only available at the start of a case. The prosecution may limit the amount of time that they’re willing to work out a deal. It’s important for you to consider the terms and future implications of the deal. Ultimately, you have to determine the defense strategy that you feel is best for your needs.