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How can a plea bargain benefit me?

On Behalf of | Oct 27, 2017 | Criminal Defense |

One thing that may come to mind when you are facing criminal charges in West Virginia is the plea bargain concept. Depending on the charges you face and the circumstances surrounding your case, you may be offered a plea bargain in which the prosecution offers you a deal if you plead no contest. According to The Atlantic, “97 percent of felony convictions are the result of plea bargains.” 

Plea bargains can be very beneficial to you if you are facing charges for a serious crime that carries heavy penalties. Here are some benefits that you may not be aware of. 

Better prison conditions 

If you are incarcerated in a jail that has poor conditions, accepting a plea bargain could lead to you being moved to an institution that has considerably better conditions. When you are in jail awaiting your trial, you have fewer privileges than offenders who are in prison. 

A lighter sentence 

Usually, alleged criminals face conviction for multiple charges. The prosecutor may offer you the opportunity to have some of them dropped or reduced if you accept a plea bargain. The dismissal or reduction in charges can mean a lighter sentence and fewer consequences for you to worry about. 

Plea bargains are usually offered when there is enough evidence to call into question a person’s innocence. Not all offers lead to the dismissal of charges. Accepting a plea bargain or pleading no contest is still an admission of guilt. Depending on the terms that are on the table, you could still end up with a criminal conviction. Before you accept one, be sure to review all details and the impact it can have on your life.