Sentencing Laws and Guidelines
Sentencing laws vary depending on the crime, severity of the crime, past convictions, and where the crime was committed. Learn more about sentencing laws and plea bargain guidelines in a criminal case.
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Aggravated Assault Charges - Are Plea Bargains Available?Some more serious crimes can plead down if the lawyer is successful in plea bargain negotiations with the prosecuting lawyer for aggravated assault charges. In these situations, the defendant can face serious sentencing unless the lawyer hired for the criminal case can convince the other legal professional why a plea bargain is the best option.
Read more- Alford Plea - What Is It and Which States Use It?
An Alford plea is when a criminal defendant pleads no contest to the charges and does admit guilt in the activity he or she faces in a courtroom prosecution. When using this type of plea, the individual is usually aware through legal consultation that he or she will accept the accusations as fact even if he or she attempts to plea bargain out of penalties.
Read more - Common Questions about Plea Bargains
Rather than trying every criminal case, the prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer may resolve a case by agreeing to a plea agreement. Many criminal cases are disposed of through this type of agreement. Some of the common questions related to plea bargains include:
Read more - First Step Act - How It Reduces Prison Terms
The First Step Act is a 2018 regulation that can free prisoners from federal penitentiaries and can assist in removing these crimes from the record of the individual despite the long sentences attached. In addition to this reform bill, there are good time credits that a prisoner can earn which may lead to an early release.
Read more - History of Plea Bargains
A plea bargain is a negotiated agreement for a criminal defendant whereby he or she agrees to plead guilty in exchange for a more favorable outcome. This outcome may be the dropping of additional charges, a reduction in the sentence or being charged with a lesser crime.
Read more - How Do You Get Out of Jail After an Arrest?
Getting arrested is an incredibly stressful, confusing experience, both for the person under arrest and their friends and loved ones. And, once taken to jail, there is probably just one thing on everyone's mind: getting that person back out of jail. So, how is that done?
Read more - What is the Difference Between Jail and Prison?
Incarceration of any kind is designed to be an unpleasant experience. But, the policies, rights, and daily life of an inmate can be very different between these two types of institutions. So, what is the difference between jail and prison.
Read more - When Should You Accept a Plea Bargain in your Criminal Case?
Let's face it, being arrested can be a terrifying, stressful, confusing experience. From that point forward, things can move fast, get very complicated, and it may be very hard to know what to do or who to turn to.
Read more - Alternatives to Jail
States and counties around the country have offered criminal defendants a number of alternatives to jail. These alternatives help to keep more people outside of overcrowded jails and provide an incentive to reform behavior.
Read more - Pleading Not Guilty Even When Guilty
Many individuals have heard the phrase “innocent until proven guilty.” This means that all criminal defendants are presumed to be innocent. The only thing that overcomes this presumption is if the prosecutor proves that the defendant is guilty by proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
Read more - Should I Just Plead Guilty and Avoid a Trial?
When a criminal defendant is confronting a criminal case and is slated to go to trial, it is the criminal defendant’s decision whether to proceed to trial or to plead guilty in order to avoid it. While his or her lawyer can provide information about the pros and cons of going to trial, the lawyer cannot generally make this decision for the client. However, before a criminal defendant decides to plead guilty, he or she should be aware of the consequences of this action and any alternatives.
Read more - What is a Nolo Contendere Plea?
A nolo contendere plea is offered in some states as an alternative to pleading straight guilty or not guilty. This plea can sometimes lead to confusion as whether a nolo contendere plea constitutes a conviction depends on the penalty or the sentence imposed in some jurisdictions.
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