How can I get the best plea bargain in my case?
There are many criminal defense lawyers, but few are at the top of the profession in Michigan. The reputation, skill, and aggressiveness of a lawyer have a direct relationship to the results they can achieve
“Is a plea bargain or a trial in my best interest?”
If you or a family member are currently facing criminal charges, we cannot stress strongly enough the importance of hiring a reputable, experienced attorney. As you face charges, difficult questions will arise, and one will most likely be, “should I take a plea bargain if it is offered?” The answer to this question and many others depends on the facts of your case. A reputable, aggressive attorney who has helped thousands of clients in the same situation will provide valuable insights and shoulder the stress you feel as you face difficult decisions. One of Michigan’s toughest legal defense law firms, LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C., has successfully defended thousands of clients and can do the same for you!
What is a plea bargain exactly?
Few people realize how many defendants avoid trial and resolve a case through a plea bargain. When a defendant accepts a plea bargain, they agree to plead guilty or “no contest,” In exchange for the plea, the prosecutor reduces the charges they originally planned to pursue. Criminal cases are complicated, so you want to discuss this option with an experienced criminal defense attorney. Another form of plea bargain includes a sentence agreement or agreement from the judge regarding sentencing. A highly skilled defense lawyer will expertly navigate the various settlement opportunities and find the best possible combination to help the client avoid an unnecessary conviction or needless time in jail or prison.
All Plea Bargains are Not Equal
Frankly, trial lawyers achieve extraordinary plea bargains. Lawyers with a reputation for getting clients to routinely “take a plea” usually produce mediocre results for clients. Efforts to get a favorable plea bargain often depend on access to a prosecutor’s office’s highest levels and a lawyer’s reputation for successfully defending clients. When a known, respected lawyer seeks to meet with a senior prosecutor, they have a much better chance of getting the meeting and negotiating a favorable resolution than someone less well-known or respected. The attorneys with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. practice with the theory that the only thing that proceeds the lawyer into the courtroom is their reputation. We are well-known and respected fighters!
Does it help to have a lawyer who is friends with the prosecutor?
One of the most popular misconceptions is that a defense attorney who is friends with a prosecutor gets the best deals. The fact is that prosecutors do not offer plea bargains based on whom they like best. In reality, prosecutors give the most favorable plea bargains to lawyers they respect. In criminal law, the community of lawyers is relatively small. Friendly relationships are common between prosecutors and defense lawyers. Lawyers who consistently get the best deals present a credible threat to the prosecutor’s case. Like most people in competitive industries, prosecutors want to win and build their reputations. Lawyers who are the biggest threats to their winning records stand the best chance of achieving an extraordinary resolution.
Suppose someone claims they will get a deal because of a friendship. In that case, you are dealing with an unethical individual praying on your fear and anxiety and attempting to manipulate you into hiring them based on false information.
If I’m guilty, should I take a plea bargain?
It’s difficult to provide general advice when each person’s situation differs. If you are guilty of the charge you face, you may be tempted to “take a plea.” In most cases, entering a plea of “guilty as charged” is not in your best interest and rarely is your best option. Accepting a plea deal may be in your best interest if a guilty verdict is likely following a trial. Although a judge cannot legally “punish” a person for going to trial, the harsh reality is that sentences following jury trials are frequently more severe than those imposed following a negotiated plea bargain. It’s important to remember that an experienced attorney knows your rights better than you do. A top attorney will help you recognize moments where the proper protocol was not followed by the police or whether there are other holes in the charges which might result in a favorable plea bargain or sentence agreement.
Suppose you are guilty, and the evidence stacked against you is considerable. In that case, a plea bargain is undoubtedly an option to discuss with your attorney, who can use their insights from their experience to give you a sense of whether or not this option is advantageous. One benefit of a plea bargain is that it provides both the prosecution and defense some control over the outcome. Trials are unpredictable, making it difficult for accused individuals who are uncomfortable handing over their fate. On the other hand, if the defendant has a known, experienced, and successful trial lawyer representing them, the prosecutor will be incentivized to offer a favorable resolution. In cases where lesser-known and respected lawyers are involved, the prosecutor has much less incentive to agree to an extraordinary plea or sentence bargain in a case. In those cases where the defense attorney is known as a “plea lawyer,” the prosecutor will often offer a less favorable outcome knowing that the lawyer will end up manipulating the defendant into a plea. LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. is formed from a team of top trial lawyers!
Which rights do I forfeit when I accept a plea?
When you enter a plea, you give up your right to appeal the charge, your right to a trial, and your right to remain silent. Because a plea is often irreversible, it is vital that you weigh your options with a reputable, experienced attorney team who knows the strategy to take that will ultimately win your freedom.
What is a Killebrew Agreement?
A Killebrew Agreement is a plea bargain in which the prosecutor promises the defendant they will receive a particular sentence. If the judge accepts the plea and cannot follow the agreement, the defendant can withdraw their plea as if it never occurred.
Is a Cobbs Plea the same as a plea bargain?
A Cobbs Plea or Cobbs Agreement is different from a plea bargain. A Cobbs Plea is an agreement with the judge that limits the defendant’s potential sentence. For example, if the judge offers a Cobbs Plea to 30 days when the defendant pleads guilty, the sentence cannot exceed that limit. If the judge is compelled to sentence the defendant to incarceration exceeding 30 days, the defendant would have the absolute right to withdraw their plea and take the case to trial. All lawyers are not the same. Some criminal defense attorneys have the credibility and reputation to get the benefit of the doubt when requesting a Cobbs Agreement for a lenient sentence cap.
Criminal Defense Lawyers Who are Top Negotiators
The Defense Team with LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. are highly skilled at obtaining favorable plea and sentence agreements for clients. All cases are different, and the strength of the government’s evidence can vary from case to case; however, the weight and power of LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. is consistently and reliably strong. For fair and affordable legal fees, we will do whatever is necessary to turn the tables and give our clients the most significant advantage in court and at the negotiating table. When you want an extraordinary resolution, and there is no room for errors and false promises, then it is time to call LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. for a free consultation.
Call us today at (248) 263-6800 for a free consultation or complete an online Request for Assistance Form. We will contact you promptly and find a way to help you.
We will find a way to help you and, most importantly,
we are not afraid to win!
