Only about 10% of criminal cases in Kentucky and throughout the country actually go to trial. Although the vast majority of cases are resolved through a plea deal, it doesn’t mean that you should accept an offer made by the prosecutor in your case.
Accepting a plea may impact your future
While accepting a plea deal may allow you to go home in a timely manner, it could also come with a variety of unintended consequences. For instance, if you are a professional, you could have your license revoked after pleading guilty to a crime. There is also the possibility that you could be subject to additional penalties based on your criminal history.
Don’t admit guilt if you aren’t comfortable with doing so
If you truly believe that haven’t done anything wrong, it may be better to take a case to trial as opposed to accepting a plea deal. It is important to note that prosecutors aren’t looking out for your best interests when making such an offer. Instead, they are merely trying to minimize the amount of time and money it takes to obtain a guilty plea.
Judges prefer to keep things moving along
Generally speaking, judges prefer plea deals because it clears cases off of their schedule and helps to keep jail and prison populations at a sustainable level. However, by accepting plea deals negotiated by prosecutors and defendants, they may be making it difficult for low-income individuals to assert their rights. In many cases, individuals choose to accept a deal because they don’t have the funds to pay for a private attorney. Instead, they must rely on an overworked public defender to get the best possible outcome in their cases.
If you are charged with a crime, a criminal defense attorney may be able to help you obtain a favorable outcome in the matter. A legal professional may be able to talk more about the pros and cons of accepting a plea deal and whether it makes sense to accept it or go to trial. Ultimately, however, the choice is yours alone to make.
