Should I Take a Plea Deal?

 Posted on March 26, 2018 in Criminal Defense

Many people have seen an episode of a legal drama on television. A crime is committed, the suspect is arrestedon charges, and then he or she is either found guilty or takes a plea deal.

Television dramas make it seem likethese scenarios arevery black and white—the accused is either found guilty or takes a plea deal. Plea deals are offered to the accused frequently, but rarely are they discussed in detail.

In reality, taking a plea deal is a huge consideration in a criminal case. A plea deal is a negotiation between the defendant and his or her attorney on one side and the prosecutor on the other side. The defendant agrees to plead guilty or no contest to some crimes, in return for a reduction of the severity of the charge or the dismissal of some of the charges. Or, the prosecutorrecommends a reduced sentence that would be given after a trial.

Considerations for a Plea Deal

Being charged with a crime in Illinois is stressful. Do not let that stress cloud your judgment regarding what needs to be considered if a plea deal is offered. First and foremost, you need to contact an attorney. An attorney will be able to guide you through the entire process and help you determine your options in relation to a plea deal.He or she will know if the deal is a desirable one or if you have a better chance going to trial.

Factorsthat will be taken into consideration regarding a plea deal include the following:

• Your chances at trial. Every case is unique. You must look at the evidence on both sides of the case to assess the risk of going to trial.
• Variables at trial.It is impossible to know the end result going into trial. To be sure, many unexpected variables can arise in the trial stage.
• Consequences of the plea. When you take a plea deal, you are pleading guilty or no contest to a crime. You need to consider the implications of having this on your record versus the chance of not having anything on your record should you succeed at trial.

It is Important to Contact an Attorney Today

Ultimately, there is no clear answer when a plea deal should be taken. It is up to you, the accused, to decide whether you will take it or not. However, having an experienced defense attorney can help. Skilled Rolling Meadows criminal defense attorney Christopher M. Cosley will take the time to explain your options and the consequences of those actions. Choose the attorney who will take the time to advocate for you and realizes the risk involved in criminal cases. Contact us today for assistance.

Source:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ChapterID=53&ActID=1876