The resolution of a criminal case can occur in many different manners. The most common way that these cases are resolved is through a plea bargain. These deals between the prosecution and the defense give each side a bit of power to determine how the case is handled. If you are a defendant in a criminal case, make sure that you consider the pros and cons of a plea deal before you agree to one.
Typically, plea deals are a faster way to get a case, including one involving drug charges, over and done with. This can be good or bad, depending on what the sentence will be in your case. If you are agreeing to a plea deal that comes with prison time, you might not appreciate the fast moving deal unless you are ready to head to prison and get your time started.
Another benefit to plea deals is that you might have a say in what the penalty is for your case. Of course, the judge would have to agree to the terms before they become your official sentence. This means that you should always have it in your mind that the judge might hand down a different punishment than the initial agreement.
There are different types of plea deals for you to consider. You might agree to plead guilty to a lesser charge. You might agree to plead guilty in exchange for a specific sentence range. You might agree to a plea deal that takes certain evidence out of the case.
No matter what kind of plea deal you are thinking about, make sure that you think carefully about how the plea deal might impact you in the future. This might help you to decide if the deal is one that you are willing to live with.
Source: FindLaw, “Plea Bargain Pros and Cons,” accessed April 07, 2017