How Plea Bargains Work And Why Courts Use Them

After getting arrested, you will likely feel relieved when the jail releases you, and you are on your way home. From there, though, you will still have to face the charges that caused you to get arrested and booked in jail. During this process, you might receive news that the court has a plea bargain for you to review. If you do not know what a plea bargain is, how it works, or why courts offer them, here are some things you should know.

The Basics of What a Plea Bargain Is

A plea bargain is a deal the court offers when determining how to proceed with a specific criminal case. The agreement provides benefits to the court and the defendant. When the court offers a plea bargain, they are saying that if the defendant pleads guilty in the case, they will reduce the original charges. Therefore, the benefit to the defendant is the ability to have reduced charges by admitting guilt. The advantage to the court is a closed case with a guilty verdict. If you accept the plea bargain, you will have to stand before the court and admit that you committed the crime. In return, though, you may end up with reduced consequences for the crime.

You Have to Decide

When you are the defendant in a case, you have the right to decide to accept or reject the plea bargain. Before you choose, you should understand the pros and cons of each option, as there are advantages and disadvantages to each. A criminal defense lawyer will discuss these with you to help you know the risks and rewards of each choice.

Understand Why the Court Offers Plea Bargains

As you determine how to respond to your plea bargain, you might be wondering why the court offers them. There are several reasons for this, and the first is to close a case with a guilty verdict. Closing cases is essential to courts, and plea bargains provide a way to accomplish this goal. Secondly, courts offer pleas to alleviate overcrowded courtrooms. If you accept a plea bargain, you will not have to go through a trial.

Now that you understand the basics of what plea bargains are and how they work, you should be able to determine what to do in your situation. Always ask your criminal defense lawyer for advice before you decide, though, as your lawyer can help you weigh the pros and cons of each option. For more information, contact a law firm such as Shefferman Law.