Should I Take a Plea Bargain?
So, you're charged with a crime. You go to your first court date. The prosecutor pulls your lawyer aside and says, "If your client pleads guilty right now, we'll just give them probation." It sounds amazing. No jail! You just want this to be over.
This is a very common tactic. Here's a stat: The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) says over 90% of all criminal cases are resolved with a plea bargain. They are not a "bad" thing. But taking the first deal is almost always a bad idea.
Why?
1. They haven't seen our side yet. We haven't had time to find the holes in their case.
2. They are offering it because they think their case has a problem.
3. A "deal" still means you have a conviction on your record.
Our firm has been doing this for decades. We know when a "deal" is actually a good deal, and when it's a trap. We are not afraid to call their bluff and say, "We'll see you at trial."
