An attorney would encourage an individual to accept a plea deal if they believe that the evidence against them was likely to lead to a conviction. This occurs when the plea deal is often much better than the consequences of losing a trial, and the evidence is not strong enough to win the case.
For example, if a client is charged with simple robbery, is facing 15 years in prison, and their attorney has been able to negotiate a resolution where the individual does not get convicted of a crime and does not go to prison, the attorney would probably recommend that to the client in most circumstances.
With this in mind, if you have been charged with robbery in West Palm Beach and are curious about any potential plea deal options, it is imperative to consult with a knowledgeable West Palm Beach robbery attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.
Potential Benefits of a Plea Deal
The job of a criminal defense attorney is to get their client exonerated, but if they cannot, then they must do damage control. That is where the plea negotiations are relevant in a West Palm Beach robbery charge, and damage is mitigated. An experienced attorney would encourage the client to accept the negotiated resolution when they are able to get the damage below what they would get if they were to take the risk, go to trial, and be found guilty.
In the opposite, if the prosecutor says that they are pursuing the maximum sentence, an attorney will often go to trial. If the client has not been in trouble before and the attorney has a good defense strategy, they may combat the prosecution’s allegations. A judge will not give an individual the maximum sentence for a first offense.
If an attorney can mitigate the damages, limit the exposure to the client, and protect their record, their reputation, their freedom, their employability, their lifestyle, and their livelihood, then they are going to recommend that they explore and discuss a settlement.
Client’s Decision
Sometimes, a client will assert that the case is taken to trial, even after an attorney has successfully negotiated a plea deal for their West Palm Beach robbery charge. If an individual puts that in writing and wants to pursue the case, the lawyer will follow. Regardless of what an attorney recommends, the resolution is always up to the client. The client always has the final say in what they want to do with their case.
Sometimes, attorneys will have clients that have convinced them to go to trial and they have won. However, there are also individuals that have bene wrong, and some are in prison because of their decision. In such cases, they may have been able to take a plea deal but are now in prison and the sentence is out of their control. If an individual has something to lose, then it is important that they take all factors into consideration when negotiating a resolution.
