ekatherine.stamatis@lawrank.com | December 2, 2019 | DUI
When Is It Too Late For A DUI Plea Bargain?
The DUI process moves quickly after an arrest. It is important to understand your options in the process. If you are considering taking a plea bargain read on to find out when is the best time to accept for your criminal case.
What is a plea bargain?
A plea bargain is another term for an agreement between the defendant and the prosecutor. The terms of the agreement require the defendant to plead “guilty” in exchange for a negotiated alternative to undergoing a jury trial.
Typically, the plea bargain involves:
- A lesser charge
- A lighter sentence
When should you accept a plea bargain?
Depending on the circumstances of your case, a plea bargain may be a no brainer. However, there is some strategy to accepting a plea bargain.
Too many people accept a plea bargain without realizing that there could be more advantageous options available.
So, how do you know when you should accept a plea bargain? The first plan of action should be to talk to your attorney. If you don’t have an attorney during the DUI process, you should definitely consider getting one.
An attorney who is familiar with the DUI criminal process will know whether the deal you are being offered is a favorable one or not.
Additionally, an attorney can look at the weight of the evidence that is against you to determine whether the charges could potentially be dropped or lessened.
Your defense attorney could cause the prosecution to realize that their case doesn’t have all of the elements to make a strong case against you, causing the prosecutors to offer a better deal.
It is important to understand that prosecutors are paid to get convictions, so having an experienced attorney fighting for your rights is essential. There are many different strategies to take in the plea bargain process, and a skilled attorney can help map out the best course of action.
Is it really a bargain?
Usually, the first offer from the prosecution is not very favorable. In fact, it may not even be a “bargain.” Both prosecutors and public defenders are charged with moving cases through the justice system as quickly as possible and the plea bargains offered are not always your best option.
They know that given your situation, it is easy to leap at the first bargain offered. This is why it is important to have a private attorney who is motivated to fight for your best interests.
What are the advantages of a plea bargain?
The plea bargain is generally a favorable option for both the defendant and the prosecution. For most defendants getting a lesser charge or a lighter sentence is a better option than going to trial with the possibility of getting convicted of every charge to the fullest extent.
In fact, most criminal cases are settled with a plea bargain. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages of a plea bargain on both sides.
A conviction is guaranteed
Prosecutors get paid to secure convictions. With a plea bargain, not only does the defendant get a deal that can put them in a better situation, but the prosecutor also gets a guaranteed conviction.
By going to trial there is always the chance that the jury will find the defendant not guilty. This is why plea bargains are very common, because each side benefits.
The defendant will still have a penalty that can still bring a measure of justice that may have not been otherwise.
It brings the cost of trial down
The cost of trial can be very expensive. Now a DUI case may not be as expensive as a drug case, but the fact is every case that goes to trial costs money.
For example, the O.J. Simpson trial went on for 135 days, was televised, and the prosecution costs alone were over 9 million dollars.
It reduces jail populations
Because of high crime, Pennsylvania jails are known for overcrowding, so much that at one point they were shipping inmates to other states. However, that practice has been on a downward trend in the last few years as the numbers of inmates are dropping.
Part of this downward trend is due to plea bargains. With plea bargains moving cases through the justice system much faster, jails have become less crowded than in the past.
What are the disadvantages of a DUI plea bargain?
While there are many advantages to a plea bargain, there are also some disadvantages that should be noted. Let’s take a look at the negative impacts of plea bargains.
It eliminates the right to trial by jury
The US constitution gives everyone the right to a trial by jury. However, the plea bargain acts as a workaround to this amendment. There may be cases where the plea bargain is seen as a coercive way to eliminate that right.
Every defendant should have the option and right to go to trial for the plea bargain to be effective.
The plea bargain may lead to insufficient investigation processes
Because the majority of criminal cases are settled by plea bargain, there could be an argument presented that investigatory processes are impacted.
Time may not be spent on investigating evidence because the expected outcome of the case is for the accused to plea out. Instead of obtaining justice, the goal is to secure a deal.
A criminal record is created for the innocent and no real justice is served
When an innocent person is charged with a crime, it can be devastating. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the crime, it may be in their best interest to take a plea deal, even if they were not at fault.
There are many reasons why an innocent person would accept a plea deal, but in the end, there is no real justice.
Being charged with any criminal charge is a scary situation. That is why you need to make smart decisions when going through the process. The decisions you make now can have an effect on your future.
Contact Our DUI Law Firm in West Chester, PA
If you are facing criminal charges and need legal help, contact the West Chester, PA DUI lawyers at DiCindioLaw, LLC to schedule a free initial consultation.
DiCindio Law, LLC
29 S Walnut St
West Chester, PA 19382
(610) 430-3535
***This blog article is made available by the law firm publisher for educational purposes and to provide general information, not to provide specific legal advice. By reading, you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the publisher. The above listed information does not include the entire crimes code, annotations, amendments or any recent changes that may be relevant. The information provided is for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal developments. These materials are not intended, and should not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances. Please contact DiCindio Law, LLC for a consultation and to discuss what law is relevant to your case. ***