Anyone who has watched movies or TV shows depicting criminal cases likely has heard about plea bargaining. Dramatized portrayals of legal proceedings often include plea bargains in their plotlines, with the defendant and their attorney discussing whether to accept a plea bargain in exchange for a reduced sentence or lesser charge. However, it’s natural to wonder how these depictions compare to the actual plea bargaining process. For instance, is a plea bargain even possible for a defendant facing criminal charges in Los Angeles County? And, if so, what does a plea agreement look like? If you or a loved one is facing a criminal charge in the greater Los Angeles area, it’s essential that you contact a skilled and experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to start exploring your legal options. Your knowledgeable and trusted criminal defense attorney will assess every detail of your case to determine whether exploring a plea bargain could offer you the best possible path forward. Although California allows plea bargains for all criminal cases, the process can be particularly nuanced and complex for serious felony crimes, such as murder. This post will provide a brief overview of the plea bargain process in Los Angeles County, with a concentrated focus in the context of murder cases.
What is Plea Bargaining?
First, it’s important to explain what the term plea bargaining means and how it applies to criminal proceedings in Los Angeles County. Essentially, a plea bargain is an agreement between the prosecutor and the defendant in a criminal case in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a particular charge in exchange for some concession on the part of the prosecution. For example, the defendant may agree to plead guilty to a lesser charge (i.e., agreeing to plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge instead of a felony charge) so that the case can resolve quickly and save considerable time and resources typically associated with taking the case to trial. Or, a plea agreement may involve the defendant agreeing to plead guilty to a particular criminal offense in exchange for serving a lighter sentence. The specific terms of the plea bargain vary from case to case, so it’s best to discuss the details of your situation with your seasoned criminal defense attorney.
Plea Bargaining as a Defense for Murder Strategy
Plea bargaining is typically used in criminal cases involving robbery, assault, drug possession or other charges where charge bargaining can be accomplished relatively easily. However, serious felony crimes like homicide and murder tend to be more complex, which can complicate the plea bargaining process considerably. While it’s important to recognize that California allows plea bargaining for any criminal offense, cases involving murder—particularly capital murder—may not provide this option. Many prosecutors are hesitant to offer plea deals for murder cases because of the severity of the underlying crime and the potential for public outrage. Many cases come down to the strength of the evidence the prosecution has identified and compiled, and they may decide to offer a plea bargain if they believe that this option is their best legal option to hold the defendant accountable for the crime. Before you approach the plea bargaining process, it’s best to discuss the implications of this strategy with your dedicated and knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer.
Potential Plea Bargain Benefits for Defendants in Los Angeles County
The impact of a plea bargain varies considerably from case to case. You and your attorney can explore the potential benefits and drawbacks of accepting a plea bargain for a murder charge before you make a decision. Generally speaking, plea bargains offer some benefits that may prompt the defendant to consider this option as a legal defense strategy, which are explored below.
Avoiding a Criminal Trial
One significant advantage to negotiating a plea bargain is avoiding the stress and costs associated with a formal criminal trial. Even though you have the right to a fair trial by a jury of your peers, the jurors may not be sympathetic to your situation and end up judging you harshly. Many defendants are intimidated by the idea of appearing before a judge and jury in such a public forum, which is why the concept of a plea bargain may be enticing to some individuals in this situation.
Saving Time and Resources
Since the plea bargain process does not require the case to move to trial, the process tends to be much more cost-effective and abbreviated. When you negotiate a plea deal, only a few parties are involved, and the matter tends to be much more private. Once you reach a plea agreement or charge bargaining agreement, you can begin to serve the terms of your sentence. You will not have to wait the additional weeks, months, or even years before the matter moves to trial, allowing you to move forward with your life on a more abbreviated timeline.
Obtaining a More Favorable Sentence
One of the primary draws of a plea bargain is the potential for a lighter sentence. When you plead guilty to a less severe offense, the accompanying sentence will likely be less severe than the sentence for the more serious conviction. You may serve fewer years in jail, owe less money in fines, or enjoy fewer restrictions on your freedoms when you accept a plea bargain.
Learn More About the Murder Plea Bargain Process Today
Although it’s important to identify some of the potential advantages to accepting a plea bargain for a murder charge, it’s equally essential to understand some of the possible downsides to choosing this option. When you accept a plea bargain, you are giving up any chance of being found innocent for this crime. In other words, accepting a plea bargain means you are admitting guilt for a crime, even if you are admitting to committing a less severe offense. Additionally, the final decision rests in the hands of the judge, so any plea bargain you and the prosecutor negotiate may not be approved by the judge after all. Every case is unique, which is why you should entrust your case to a dedicated and highly qualified Los Angeles County criminal defense attorney to maximize your chances of securing a fair and favorable outcome.
Serious felony offenses carry life-altering consequences in Southern California. If you are facing homicide charges in Los Angeles County, call Wegman & Levin right away at (818) 980-4000 to arrange a free consultation with a highly qualified and experienced criminal defense attorney.
