If a Carle Place resident is unfortunate enough to begin 2018 facing a criminal charge then they may feel as though there is no changing the course their legal dilemma is on. They may expect that, if they are convicted, they will face the penalties assigned to their charge and experience the life-altering consequences of carrying into the future a criminal record.
However, even in criminal legal matters individuals often have room for negotiations. Plea bargaining is a form of negotiation that happens between prosecutors and the individuals they seek to convict of crimes. A plea bargain is essentially an agreement between the parties that in some way benefits each.
For example, a prosecutor and a criminal defendant may choose to negotiate the charge that the prosecutor will pursue. A criminal defendant may consider pleading guilty to a lesser charge if a prosecutor is willing to substitute it for the more serious charge that they first elected to file against the defendant.
Also, a prosecutor and a criminal defendant can, in some circumstances, negotiate the punishment that the defendant will have to serve. A defendant may be able to avoid a more significant sanction and a prosecutor may be able to avoid a lengthy trial if the parties can agree to a reduced sentence in exchange for a guilty plea.
Aside from negotiating punishments and charges, criminal defendants can sometimes negotiate the facts of their cases. However, in all of these situations it is imperative that individuals receive legal counseling from criminal defense legal professionals who advocate for their clients’ rights. Not all plea bargains are good deals and people facing criminal charges should not be tricked into negotiations that do not serve their legal interests.