Read This Before You Take a Plea Deal

 Posted on March 13, 2017 in Criminal Law

Most criminal cases never go to a trial by jury. Even though it is your constitutional right to have a trial decided by a group of your peers, most individuals who are accused of a crime take a plea deal.

There are several reasons why a plea deal is appealing to defendants:

1. The outcome is more predictable. If you go to trial, you could be found not guilty or guilty of several crimes. With a plea, you know exactly what your conviction will be.

2. Plea deals are quick. If you are not out on bond and get credit for time served, your sentence may not be that much longer than the amount of time you have been in jail.

3. Plea deals keep others out of your case. Going to trial means a lot of information will be made public. It also means that the accused’s family and associates may be called to testify. 

Even though prosecutors and defendants often prefer plea bargains, you should not enter one without a thorough analysis of your case. Your defense attorney should discuss the following issues with you:

• The long-term ramifications of the plea. Be sure you understand how a plea will affect you if you are charged again in the future. Also, be sure you understand the full consequences of your plea. For example, will you have to register as a sex offender? Will you no longer be able to carry a gun? Will you be able to vote?

• Whether this is a good deal based on the facts of your case. If the prosecutor has a weak case, the plea deal should be more favorable to you. Be sure that you understand what evidence the prosecutor has gathered and whether it will be admissible at trial before agreeing to a plea deal.

• Conditions of the plea. Sometimes prosecutors will offer one-time-only plea deals. Other times the prosecutor will signal that a plea is negotiable or may be revisited after a hearing.

• Options for appeal. Do not take a plea deal thinking you can appeal it later. Appeals on pleas are rarely entertained. Your options on appeal may be limited. 

Contact a Wheaton, IL Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you are considering a plea deal, you should only do so after your case has been reviewed by an attorney and after your questions have been answered. The attorneys at our firm can help you understand the ramifications of your plea deal and whether a plea deal is appropriate in your case. 

The DuPage County, IL criminal defense attorneys represent clients in plea bargains and trials accused of minor and serious crimes. We have firm office locations that serve DuPage, Kane, Cook, Kendall and Will Counties. Call Davi Law Group, LLC at 630-580-6373 to speak to one of our skilled attorneys.

Source:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=072500050K113-4