Facing a criminal charge is a serious matter that requires immediate attention. One decision that you have to make is how you want to handle your defense strategy. This depends on a variety of factors so you have to be able to sort through the options and determine what’s best for your situation.
One possible resolution for the case is a plea deal. While many people might be aware of what this does, there are often questions about whether the plea agreement is in the defendant’s best interest. The question of whether to accept one of these comes down to a few points.
Only accept if you’re guilty
Nobody should accept a plea deal unless they admit they did the crime. While a plea deal is usually a quick way to resolve the criminal charge, it isn’t something that should be done just to get the case over with.
Understand the consequences
One restriction that you should be aware of is that you can’t appeal the case if you enter into a plea deal. This is one of the reasons why it’s important for you to double-check all the terms before you agree to the deal. Similarly, if you’re pleading guilty to a felony offense, you need to consider the long-term consequences of a felony record on your life.
Another limitation is that the court must accept the plea deal terms. The court has the right to determine that the terms of the agreement aren’t suitable for the case.
Make sure you understand what defense options you have. Working with someone familiar with your case and the applicable laws can help you to learn more about what you can do and how it might affect you in the future.