People facing criminal charges have several options available to them. They can develop a defense strategy and take the case to trial. The state must provide the defense team with information about the prosecutor’s case. Successful defense strategies may exclude or counter the evidence that the prosecutor intends to present at a trial.
In some cases, defendants who assert their innocence worry about a criminal conviction, especially if they face multiple charges for the same incident or a felony charge. They may decide that pleading guilty is a better option than taking the case to trial. In such scenarios, they may ask their defense attorney to help them negotiate a plea bargain. Plea bargains are incredibly common in the modern criminal justice system.
Why do defendants who assert their innocence sometimes decide to enter guilty pleas anyway?
For a reduction in charges
It is standard practice for prosecutors to bring the most severe charges that they can legally justify, given the circumstances. If the situation could warrant either a felony or misdemeanor charge, the prosecutor is likely to pursue the felony charge.
Additionally, prosecutors frequently attempt to pursue multiple charges after a single criminal incident. Plea bargaining can lead to the prosecution reducing the charges to lesser offenses or dropping all but one of the charges against the defendant.
For limited penalties
The sentence that the courts can impose may range from probation to jail time. Convicted defendants often have to pay fines and cover court costs. The process of negotiating a plea bargain often involves an arrangement to limit the penalties that the courts impose.
Being able to avoid incarceration or at least limit the time spent in state facilities is often a priority during plea bargaining. Defendants may also benefit from cooperating with the prosecutor to limit the information introduced to the courts. Prosecutors may agree not to submit certain information that could prove damaging to the defendant if it becomes part of the public record.
Reviewing the state’s case with a skilled legal team can help people develop reasonable criminal defense strategies. The decision to negotiate a plea bargain can sometimes be the most cost-effective solution for defendants facing criminal accusations.
