The Pros and Cons of Accepting a Plea Bargain on a California Criminal Case

The Pros and Cons of Accepting a Plea Bargain on a California Criminal Case

Whether you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, the entire court procedure may seem daunting at first. There are so many new legal words to try to decipher that it may be difficult to know where to begin or what to do.

Fortunately, if you have an experienced criminal defense attorney, such as Chambers Law Firm, on your side, your stress levels will be far lower than if you had just any other lawyer defending you. Call us now at 714-760-4088 to request a free legal consultation.

What is a plea bargain?

Generally speaking, a plea bargain happens when a defendant chooses to plead guilty to a lower charge, or to only part of the counts, rather than to all of them. It is advantageous to the prosecutor in that the time of the court procedure is significantly reduced because he or she does not have to seek to show the defendant guilty of all of the initial allegations. This saves everyone a significant amount of time and money.

What are the benefits of agreeing to a plea bargain?

A plea bargain might be quite helpful depending on your individual position and the circumstances of your case. The entire court case will be completed in a fraction of the time it would have taken otherwise, saving you a great deal of time, bother, and concern. You won’t have to deal with as many court appearances or legal expenses as you would otherwise.

An experienced criminal defense attorney can assist you in determining whether or not a plea deal is in your best interests. Depending on the terms put forth by the prosecutor in the plea bargain, it might be a fair deal for you; but, there may be more advantageous alternatives open to you.

When is it likely that a prosecution will propose a plea bargain?

A prosecutor may offer you a plea bargain if he or she believes the evidence against you is insufficient to persuade a jury that you committed the crime.

In what ways does accepting one have its disadvantages?

Sometimes, your defense attorney, Chambers Law Firm, will advise you against accepting a plea deal because the evidence against you is so weak that there is only a remote likelihood that a jury will find you guilty. In that situation, it may be preferable to decline a plea bargain, even if the prosecution appears to be providing a fair deal on the surface.

If you have any concerns concerning plea bargains or any other part of the legal profession, call criminal defense attorney Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 for a free consultation.

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