Plea Bargains as Explained by a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Cambridge, MD
Many criminal cases never make it to trial. A criminal defense lawyer in Cambridge, MD will often recommend the client take a plea bargain. Before anyone agrees to do so, however, they need to understand what a plea bargain is and how it may be of benefit to them. With this type of plea, the defendant agrees that he or she is guilty and, in exchange, the prosecution agrees to a lesser charge. This allows the defendant to get a more lenient sentence or have the charges dismissed, either in full or in part.
Plea bargains are typically offered in certain cases. Both sides look at the severity of the crimes the defendant is charged with, how strong the evidence is and how likely each side believes a guilty verdict can be obtained in court. For example, if the defendant believes he or she will probably be found guilty, they may agree to a plea bargain to get a reduced sentence. This saves money and time, as there is no need for a trial. A judge has to agree to the plea bargain, but this takes a fraction of the time needed for a trial.
Court systems may encourage plea bargains. They do so as the court docket is overwhelmed with cases. It may take months before a defendant actually appears in court. In addition, if the charges aren’t very serious, the court may sign off on the agreement because the jails are too crowded. In certain situations, a plea bargain may be offered in exchange for information on criminal activities committed by other parties. How does this process work?
A criminal defense lawyer in Cambridge, MD will sit down with the other side to come to an agreement that all parties feel is fair and reasonable. An example of this is when a prosecutor agrees to drop one or more charges, and the defendant agrees to plead guilty to others. Defendants typically agree to this to reduce the severity of the consequences of their actions. To learn more about how a criminal defense attorney can be of assistance in matters such as this, visit the website. It contains a wealth of information for anyone facing criminal charges.
