You may or may not be surprised to learn that almost all criminal cases in California end up resolved via plea agreement. Does this mean that there is no need for a criminal defense attorney? Actually, the opposite is true. If you want the best possible outcome for your case, then you need a skilled negotiator on your side. Read on to learn what to expect during a plea negotiation and then contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 for your free legal consultation.

There are many reasons a plea deal may be the best option for you

You may be wondering why you wouldn’t want to fight all charges against you. This may be the best option for your case – it all depends on the evidence against you. In the case that the evidence list is long, then a plea agreement could be the best option. In many cases, we can have felony charges reduced to misdemeanor or otherwise negotiate a better deal for you. In the end, the main reason you’d consider a plea deal is to get a lighter penalty.

A plea deal is often the best option for the prosecutor too

Now you may wonder why the prosecutor would want to negotiate a plea deal. After all, in this scenario there is a wealth of evidence against their defendant. Why wouldn’t they want to take that case all the way to trail? The answer is simple: Money. Prosecutors simply don’t have the time, resources, or money to take every case to trial. As a result, the main goal is often simply to get a guilty plea, even if it’s to a much lesser charge than they suspect someone of.

Ether side can start the plea negotiation process

Your attorney can go to the prosecution with a plea offer or the prosecution can come to us and offer a lesser charge for a guilty plea. Whether or not we start the process or wait for the prosecution will vary based on your case. In some instances, we want to get the case moving as quickly as possible, but in other situations it may be best to let them begin the negotiation.

A prosecutor doesn’t have to offer or agree to a plea deal

There are many instances in which a prosecutor isn’t willing to offer a reduction in charge or sentencing. Instead, they will take the court to case. This is often the case if there’s a long arrest record and numerous convictions, or if a conviction would be the third strike. On the other hand, a first-time offender is almost guaranteed to have a plea deal offered for most criminal charges.

Discussing the best option can be challenging. It’s often the case that a defendant doesn’t want to take a plea deal at all. You have the right to make your own decisions and we will help you through the process. That said, we will be honest and make our case to you if we believe a plea is in your best interest. To get a better idea of your options, please reach out to Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055.