Oftentimes, when a person is charged for a crime, they believe that if they plead guilty right away, the punishments and penalties for the crime will be reduced. Sometimes, law enforcement officers will offer a person a plea bargain. In these cases, an agreement is formed between the prosecution and the defense. Usually, the defendant will relay some kind of information, along with pleading guilty in return for reduced charges or penalties.
Although these arrangements may seem tempting at first glance, it is best to retain an experienced criminal defense attorney to ensure your rights are protected throughout the process. In some incidents, a defendant will even receive full punishments.
Below is a list of questions you may have if you are considering pleading guilty.
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Do I have a deadline of when I can retain a lawyer?
- No. By law, you have the constitutional right to retain a lawyer at any time once you have been charged with a crime.
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What will an attorney be able to do if I am going to plead guilty regardless?
- An aggressive and knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer will be able to pinpoint any flaws in the prosecution’s case.
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Can a lawyer help me negotiate a plea?
- A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney may have a better chance at negotiating a plea agreement for you. Since a criminal defense lawyer will know what intricacies to look for, the chances of having your charges reduced or dismissed increase with the help of a lawyer.
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Are there any other options?
- In some cases, if you are charged for a crime, you can plead “no contest,” which is entirely different from pleading guilty.
If You Have Been Charged with a Crime
No matter what the crime may be, if you plan to plead guilty, we suggest you speak with an Atlanta criminal defense lawyer from Weintraub & Alper Legal. Our relentless team works hard to give our clients the representation they deserve throughout every case. No matter how big or small your issue may seem, we can protect your rights and do everything in our power to have your penalties and charges reduced.
When your rights are on the line, you cannot afford to wait. Contact the Atlanta criminal defense attorneys at Weintraub & Alper Legal. today!