If you’ve ever watched a crime show on television, you’ve likely heard the words “plea deal” thrown around. It always looks like the plea deal is a good deal, and the accused tends to take it. That’s not always the case in real life, though. In fact, plea deals aren’t always in your favor.
Under a plea deal, you can choose to accept a reduced penalty in exchange for pleading guilty. On the other hand, if you don’t want to plead guilty, the plea deal can be rejected. What’s the right thing to do? What if you’re innocent but feel there is too much evidence against you to win your case?
Those are a few questions that draw major concerns among defendants. Your attorney can advise you on whether or not a plea is a good idea, depending on the terms and the facts of your case. If you are guilty, for instance, and the plea offers you a chance to plead guilty and walk away without time in prison, it might be a good idea to take it. If you aren’t guilty and the plea asks you to say you are, then you may not want to plead guilty on principle. However, if there is evidence against you, it still could be in your best interests to plead guilty and take the lesser punishment to better your odds.
Our website has more information about a plea deal and what it could mean for your case. It gives you a definite answer to the penalties you’ll face, but it’s not always the best solution for a case.