Plea deals are used to settle a vast number of criminal cases these days. So there is a high chance you will be offered one if you face criminal charges.
Many people do accept the plea deals they are offered, but before you accede, it’s important to remember a few things.
The deal is not being offered for your benefit
However the prosecution frames the deal they offer, they are not doing it with your best interests in mind. Their primary motive is to make it easier for them to score a win. You accept the plea deal, and they get the guilty verdict they are after. It’s one more tick for them to rack up on their list of successful prosecutions.
Deals are about negotiation
It’s unlikely the first deal the prosecution offers is the best one they are prepared to give. While they might hope you will take it, they likely have room to maneuver to get a deal across the line. You can use that to your advantage to negotiate to improve your prospects.
You have the right to ignore the deal and fight your case
You do not have to take a plea deal. You have every right to insist on going to trial. There are often ways to beat a charge that you might never have considered. If you can walk out of the court with a “not guilty” verdict or have the case thrown out before it even begins, then it will spare you punishment and spare you the long-lasting effects of a criminal record.
With guidance to understand your options, you make an informed decision about whether to accept a plea deal or not.