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What is the Role of Plea Bargains in Criminal Defense Cases?
By: Benjamin Jaffe
Plea bargains, also commonly referred to as plea agreements, are agreements reached between prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys. In most criminal cases, the defendant will receive reduced sentences or reduced criminal charges in exchange for a guilty plea. A large number of criminal cases are resolved by reaching a plea bargain.
Plea deals can sometimes benefit both sides in a criminal case. They present the opportunity for the prosecutor to obtain a guilty plea and close the case. However, they also allow criminal defense lawyers to secure a more favorable outcome for their clients and a sense of reassurance knowing the outcome of their criminal case.
The decision of whether to accept a plea deal should not be taken lightly. A criminal lawyer must weigh the strength of their case, the risks of going to trial, and what is in their client’s best interests before advising whether to accept a plea bargain. Our Indianapolis law firm has extensive experience representing clients in criminal defense matters, including those facing murder charges. As your legal representatives, we would help you negotiate for better terms in your plea bargain and advise you of your legal options in your murder case.
Are Plea Deals Offered in All Criminal Cases?
While plea deals are not offered in all criminal cases, they are typically offered in the vast majority of them, including murder cases.
A murder case typically gets negotiated in a plea bargain less often than lower-level cases, but any type of criminal matter could potentially be resolved with a plea deal, and that extends to homicide cases.
Capital punishment, or the death penalty, is still a legal penalty in the state of Indiana. Despite that, state executions are exceedingly rare. There could be plea bargaining even in death penalty cases. For example, the state may charge the defendant and seek the death penalty but then offer a term of life without parole in exchange for a guilty plea.
What Are the Risks and Benefits of Accepting a Plea Deal?
The primary benefit of reaching a plea bargain is that it allows criminal defendants to take responsibility for their actions while also allowing them to avoid some of the harsher penalties of the criminal justice system. By entering a guilty plea, potentially to a lesser charge, the defendant admits their guilt while managing the risk of harsher sentencing.
Plea bargains can also benefit both parties by saving time and money spent on litigation in a criminal trial.
What Types of Plea Agreements Could You Receive?
Plea agreements come in many forms. The type of plea offer you receive will depend on the evidence that the prosecution has against your case, the potential sentences if convicted at trial, and your criminal history. Each case is different, with its own unique circumstances that must be considered. While plea agreements come in many forms, the type of plea offer you receive will depend on the evidence that the prosecution has against your case, the potential sentences if convicted at trial, and your criminal history.
What Factors Influence Plea Bargains in Murder Cases?
Several unique factors can impact the negotiations and the decision-making during the plea-bargaining process of an Indianapolis murder case.
The severity of the crime, such as whether it is manslaughter or first or second-degree murder, will play a significant role in affecting the plea-bargaining process. The more severe the charges, the less favorable the offer will likely be.
The strength of the evidence in the hands of the prosecution will also play a significant role in plea bargains. If the evidence is especially damning, the prosecution is likely to be less willing to offer a favorable plea bargain. However, if the evidence is considered weak or in question, you and your lawyer may have more leverage to negotiate for better deals.
The defendant’s criminal history will also influence plea bargaining. Defendants without a criminal history are likely to be treated with more leniency than those with a long list of violent crimes in their past.
Public opinion and the desires of the victim’s family can also influence plea negotiations.
How Can Indiana Criminal Defense Lawyers Help You Negotiate for a Better Plea Bargain?
Your criminal defense lawyer plays an essential role in the plea negotiation process. Their knowledge of criminal law and their negotiation skills can make all the difference in the world for defendants facing harsh consequences in a homicide case.
Experienced criminal defense attorneys will use various negotiation tactics to pursue the most optimal outcome possible for their clients. This may include presenting challenging evidence, leveraging legal precedents, and presenting mitigating factors.
The attorney’s role is also to advocate for their client’s best interests. This will likely include providing emotional and legal support, maintaining open communication with the client, and understanding the client’s needs. Not all plea bargains are in the best interests of the defendant, period. Your lawyer can help you reach an agreement that suits your interests.
Finally, criminal defense lawyers thoroughly understand the law and how it affects plea bargains. This knowledge of Indiana homicide laws, sentencing guidelines, and trial experience will be vital to you and your case.
How Long Do You Have to Accept a Plea Bargain?
In Indiana, plea offers don’t require a deadline, but most plea bargains do have expiration dates. Typically, these expiration dates are set within a few months of the issuance of the plea offer. Once the offer expires, the prosecutor has the right to either extend the time on the offer or present a new deal with potentially less favorable terms. With that said, plea negotiations can continue even to the point of a trial proceeding.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Experienced Indianapolis Criminal Defense Attorneys Today
If you are facing criminal charges in a murder case, it is essential that you retain professional legal counsel from an experienced criminal defense attorney. Our law firm has extensive experience representing clients in criminal matters, including those facing murder charges. We can help you negotiate for a more favorable plea bargain in pursuit of the most satisfactory outcome to your case.
To learn more about our legal services and how we can assist you during this difficult time, please contact our legal team to schedule your free initial consultation today.
You may reach us at 317-793-2325.
