Plea bargaining is a type of agreement in criminal cases that can be utilized to avoid a trial. Instead of proceeding to a jury trial, the prosecution and the defendant work together to reach an agreement. Oftentimes, plea bargains include lesser charges in exchange for a guilty plea. Generally though, if a defendant pleads guilty, the defendant exchanges that plea for another advantage. In recent years, plea bargaining has become a hotly debated issue. Below we review the main advantages and disadvantages of plea bargaining. 

How Plea Bargains Work

Plea bargaining is a tactic attorneys utilize for various reasons. Some of the advantages of plea bargains include:

• People charged with a criminal offense can skip the lengthy trial process
• People charged in high-profile cases can avoid publicity
• Plea bargains reduce time and costs for the prosecution
• Both the prosecution and the defense avoid the risk associated with proceeding to trial. For the prosecution, this risk is the defendant’s acquittal. For the defense, this risk is receiving a harsher punishment than what is reached through the plea bargain.

Reduced Sentence

Many people accept plea bargains because the prosecution offers them a reduced sentence in exchange for their plea. Plea bargains routinely lead to substantially less time behind in criminal cases.

Reduced Charge

A person sometimes receives a reduced charge on the terms that they accept a plea deal. In other situations, this can lead to a defendant pleading guilty to a misdemeanor rather than a felony. Other times, a person might be eligible for certain tasks or to have their record expunged. 

Less Cost

People charged with criminal offenses routinely hire lawyers, whom they pay a lot of money to represent them. In these situations, accepting a plea agreement can lead to a person charged with a criminal offense quickly concluding a case, and thus saving money in attorneys’ fees.

Avoid the Stigma Associated With a Conviction

Several criminal offenses including those associated with sex offenses carry a substantial social stigma for those convicted. Plea bargains routinely recognize this fact by reducing the charge that carries the biggest stigma to an offense that carries less stigma. 

Limiting Publicity

A common tactic that the prosecution (as well as defense lawyers) rely on is the use of publicity and the media. Defendants almost always want information about a criminal trial kept quiet and away from the public. Sometimes, a plea bargain means that a person can avoid having a case proceed to trial. 

Avoiding Hassles

Various obstacles are associated with a case proceeding to trial. The time, as well as the associated costs, can be particularly draining on a person, and many people seek a plea bargain to avoid the various obstacles that they are likely to face.

Obtain the Assistance of a Seasoned Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been arrested in Oklahoma, you should consider obtaining the assistance of an attorney who will fight to make sure that your case resolves in the best possible manner. Contact Attorney Tracy Tiernan today to schedule a free case evaluation.