We have discussed a variety of criminal justice matters here. Some of those posts might have our Maryland readers wondering how the district attorney decides which charges to pursue. Because that is such an important part of the criminal justice system, we want our readers to understand this process.
The prosecutor decides which charges to pursue in a case by reviewing information that is provided by the police report. The prosecutor must decide if there is a legal basis to the case and if the evidence is suitable for the case. In some cases, there might be factors that make it likely that the case will be thrown out in court. In those cases, the prosecutor will usually decide not to pursue charges.
If the case is suitable for court, the prosecutor has to decide if there is a plea bargain he or she can offer. In some cases, this will be how the case is resolved. The defendant agrees to enter a specific plea as part of a deal that has a specific outcome attached.
There are a variety of factors that can affect the prosecutor’s decision about whether a case should be pursued or not. Fully understanding your case and the evidence in the case might help you understand the prosecutor’s decision. In some cases, knowing that information might also help you decide if you should accept a plea deal or not.
We want the best outcome possible for our clients. We can help you to understand your charges and work through the evidence. If you decide to fight the charges, we can help you to present a defense.