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Should you accept a plea bargain?

On Behalf of | Feb 1, 2022 | Criminal Defense, Federal Criminal Defense

Rejecting a plea deal may seem absurd for many. After all, you are getting a better deal on the face of it. However, it is not always the case, and you need to go through everything in detail before committing yourself. Remember, accepting a plea deal means admitting guilt of another offense, and you may have to face the consequences.

With a plea bargain, you lose your right to a jury trial, or in some cases, the right to appeal. So, what exactly should you look for before accepting or rejecting a plea bargain?

Explore all possibilities

If the prosecution does not have sufficient evidence, your plea deal may include a lesser charge than what you are potentially facing. However, your chances of being found guilty are pretty low, given the high threshold required for a conviction. In such an instance, a plea deal may not be your best bet, and you may be better off seeing the case through.

Is the plea deal in your best interests? If you believe you don’t stand a chance of a positive outcome of your case, then it may be advisable to accept the deal. Notably, a plea deal is negotiable, and it is necessary to make your voice heard when negotiating a bargain.

Protecting your legal rights

Learning more about the legal environment around pela deals will help you make the right call. Keep in mind that a plea deal is not a favor from the prosecution. If anything, it takes some burden from them since you are admitting guilt anyway. That’s why you should not have the notion that it is meant to provide relief for you.

 Instead, take your time before making the final decision of accepting a plea deal since you may have to live with it.