Considering a Buffalo, NY Plea Bargain? Get Expert Legal Advice First

If you’ve been charged with a crime in Buffalo, NY, the prosecutor may offer you a plea bargain. This means you plead guilty in exchange for a lighter sentence. While a plea deal may seem tempting, you should speak to an experienced criminal defense lawyer before accepting. A plea bargain has serious long-term consequences that you need to fully understand.

Here’s what you need to know about Buffalo plea bargains and why getting legal advice is so important.

What is a Plea Bargain?

A plea bargain (or plea agreement) is an agreement between the prosecutor and defendant to resolve a criminal case without going to trial. The defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for concessions by the prosecutor, usually a more lenient sentence.

Over 90% of criminal cases end in plea bargains because they allow both sides to avoid the time and expense of a trial. Defendants get a lighter sentence, while prosecutors get a guaranteed conviction and can resolve cases more quickly.

While plea bargains may seem like a good deal on the surface, you should always consult an attorney before accepting one. Here’s why…

The Long-Term Consequences of a Guilty Plea

Pleading guilty has serious long-term consequences that will follow you for life. It’s not just about the immediate sentence. Here are some things to consider:

• You will have a permanent criminal record
• It can affect job, housing, and educational opportunities
• You may lose certain rights and privileges
• You’ll have less leverage to fight related civil lawsuits
• It can impact future criminal proceedings if you’re charged again
• You may become ineligible for government benefits
• You’ll lose the right to vote, own a gun, hold public office etc in some cases

These consequences apply whether you took a plea bargain or were convicted at trial. However, plea bargains often involve pleading guilty to a more serious charge than you could have been convicted of at trial. This skews the long-term consequences against you.

Buffalo Plea Bargaining Defense Lawyers

Here are some of the best criminal defense attorneys in Buffalo to contact about potential plea bargains:

• Hodgson Russ LLP – Seasoned lawyers with decades of experience negotiating Buffalo plea bargains.
• Phillips Lytle LLP – Respected Buffalo firm skilled at getting charges reduced or dismissed pre-trial.
• Brown Chiari LLP – Former prosecutors who now defend clients accused of crimes.
• Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria – Top-rated local defense firm with a proven record of success.

Don’t take chances with your future. Speak to a Buffalo criminal defense lawyer before accepting any plea bargain offered by the prosecution. An experienced attorney can fully advise you and potentially negotiate a much better deal.

With so much on the line, get expert legal advice before making this critical decision.

References

Plea Bargaining – NYCourts.gov.

Should You Take a Plea Bargain? – Nolo.com.

Can a Felony Be Reduced to a Misdemeanor? – CriminalDefenseLawyer.com.