subject: Is It Better To Go To Trial Or To Plead Guilty? [print this page] When facing charges in criminal court, many people find themselves ambivalent when it comes to accepting a plea agreement proffered by the prosecution. In exchange for a guilty plea, charges can be lessened and punishment for crimes can be much less severe. However, it is sometimes hard to have an objective perspective when in the middle of a criminal trial, which is why it is important to value the advice you receive from your criminal law firm in Chicago.
There are many benefits to a plea bargain, beginning with the obvious your sentence may be reduced or even suspended. Moreover, charges may be reduced, as well, and in some crimes, plea bargains may coincide with a deferral of conviction, which means that once you complete your obligation to the court, charges will be dropped. Another positive aspect is that the lawyer from your criminal law firm in Chicago will require full compensation if you proceed to court for trial, which can take months and is much more expensive. Accepting a plea bargain is cost-efficient for the court, as well, which more than likely has full dockets and is eager to expedite cases.
Yet if despite strong evidence to the contrary you are not guilty of the crime, or do not feel that your guilt can be proven, you may feel more inclined to keep your record untarnished and to take your chances with a jury trial. This can pay off in the final analysis if you are cleared of all charges. Keeping a conviction off your record and avoiding punishment is worth the extra cost of hiring the services of a criminal law firm in Chicago. However, the flip side is that if you are found guilty after a criminal trial you are subject to full sentencing for your crime, and the possibility for reduced charges and less strenuous sentences (or suspended sentences) no longer exists.
The risks and rewards are obvious, and the final decision is yours. The wisest choice you can make is to take advantage of what the criminal law firm you have contracted with in Chicago has to offer experience, insight, and an objective viewpoint. Your attorney's job is to evaluate which option presents more of a risk to you and to advise you accordingly. In most cases, it is advantageous to take a plea bargain, but not always. Be sure to consult fully with your lawyer and understand all the ramifications of any choices that you make, but perhaps allow your lawyer's seasoned opinion to weigh a bit more heavily than your own.
