Los Angeles Plea Bargains

A plea bargain is an agreement between a defendant and a prosecutor where the defendant enters a guilty plea for a lesser crime instead of being charged and pleading not guilty to a more severe crime and risking a criminal trial. 

Depending on the circumstances surrounding your case, you may benefit more from accepting a plea bargain than mounting a defense. Here are some reasons people opt for a plea bargain. 

They Are a Public Figure 

Public figures rarely go to trial due to the amount of negative publicity they would receive. This goes for both national and local figures, including town mayors, business owners, and other officials. 

Even if the defendant is completely innocent, going to trial automatically paints the defendant in a negative light. Often, public figures cannot risk being involved in a trial regardless of the evidence available.  

They Can’t Afford the Legal Fees 

The cost to be represented during a criminal trial is naturally higher than the cost to be represented for a plea bargain, simply because the attorney isn’t required to dedicate as much time and effort to a defense strategy. Defendants who believe they can’t afford the legal fees associated with a criminal trial may be more likely to make a deal with the prosecutor. 

They Want the Matter to Be Over Quickly 

In most cases, a plea bargain takes significantly less time from start to finish than a criminal trial. Defendants who are most concerned about getting the matter off the radar as fast as possible may be more inclined to accept a plea bargain. 

The Original Charges are Felonies 

Individuals who have been convicted of a felony lose certain rights, such as the right to possess a firearm and vote. Having a felony on your record also makes it more difficult to get a job or maintain a professional license and may impact civil cases like divorce and child custody.

In cases like these, it may be in the best interest of the defendant to accept a plea bargain to reduce felony charges to misdemeanors if the defendant pleads guilty.  

Do You Need an Attorney’s Help? 

Were you arrested and charged with a crime? You need zealous legal advocacy on your side. Contact Chad Lewin today for more information about your legal rights after being arrested for a criminal offense or to set up an appointment for a free consultation. Call now.