What is a Plea Bargain?

If you’ve been accused of a crime in Chicago, Skokie or Rolling Meadows, it’s probably a good idea to get in touch with a criminal defense attorney as soon as you can. Your lawyer will be there to explain your rights, talk to you about possible outcomes for your case, and help you make the right decisions if the prosecutor offers you a plea bargain.

But what is a plea bargain, and why would a prosecutor offer it?

What is a Plea Bargain?

Many cases are resolved through plea bargaining, but not all. There’s no way to predict whether the prosecutor (the prosecutor is the state’s attorney) will offer you one, but just in case, it pays to know what it is.

A plea bargain, which is sometimes called a plea agreement or plea deal, the defendant (you) agrees to plead guilty to one or more charges in exchange for a more lenient sentence. In many cases, the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge than one that he or she could stand trial (for example, battery instead of aggravated battery) so the prosecutor still gets a conviction – just not for the original crime.

Why Prosecutors Sometimes Offer Plea Bargains

Sometimes prosecutors offer plea bargains to help the court system move along more quickly – they’re faster to deal with and require a lot less work than trials do. They also help free up the system for more serious cases. Sometimes there are other reasons a prosecutor would offer a plea deal, too.

Should You Take a Plea Bargain if the Prosecutor Offers it to You?

Every case is different, so it’s important that you talk to your Chicago criminal lawyer before you make a decision. There may be a reason it’s better for you to go to trial, or your attorney may tell you that you should accept the bargain – no two cases are the same.

Do You Need to Talk to a Lawyer About Criminal Charges?

The Law Offices of Matt Fakhoury may be able to help defend you from criminal charges. Call us immediately at 847-920-4540 for a free criminal case review. We’ll answer your questions and start building a strategy that gets you the best possible outcome, so call today.