A criminal plea bargain is an important part of criminal defense law that benefits the defendant, the court, and the prosecution in Tennessee. This process makes it possible to resolve criminal charges without going through a trial. If you’re facing criminal charges or are under investigation, a plea bargain can be a great option for you. All you need is to understand what it really is, and how it works.
What is a criminal plea bargain?
A criminal plea bargain is a contract that allows the defendant to plead guilty of criminal charges that are less serious than the criminal charges originally filed. It is an agreement between the prosecutor and defense attorney in which both parties agree on what type of criminal offense the defendant will plead guilty to in exchange for a reduction of the criminal charges.
How does it work?
There are several steps in a plea bargain process. First, a criminal defense attorney needs to negotiate the criminal charges with the prosecutor before they take it to court for trial or hearing. Once the defendant agrees on the plea bargain, then there is a formal agreement that’s signed by both prosecution and defense attorneys. The next step is making sure that all parties involved are present in court for a plea hearing to finalize the criminal charges. If the defendant pleads guilty, a judge will review the criminal charge and sentence if necessary.
What are the benefits?
A criminal plea bargain is a good option for those who can’t afford to go through a trial or don’t have sufficient evidence that will help them win the case. It reduces time and stress for the applicant, which they’d otherwise spend attending multiple court proceedings. On the part of the defendant, criminal plea bargains reduce the sentence and criminal charges. The courts also benefit from criminal plea bargains because they save time and money.
For a while now, plea bargains have been a very successful criminal defense strategy. If you’re facing criminal charges and want to resolve your case without going through a trial, this is an option worth exploring.