Akron Drug Crime Attorney

Negotiating a Favorable Plea Deal From the State Prosecutor Who is Handling Your Case

In some instances, instead of taking your criminal drug case to trial, we can negotiate a favorable plea deal with the state prosecutor.

A prosecutor might offer a plea deal if they are not confident in securing a conviction against the accused person. The prosecutor may not have sufficient evidence to prove their case, and consequently, they may not want to take their case to a criminal bench or jury trial. In those circumstances, a prosecutor will more likely offer the accused person a favorable plea deal.

As part of a plea deal, the prosecutor will typically offer one or more concessions in exchange for the accused individual pleading guilty to a criminal offense. For example, if the accused agrees to plead guilty, the prosecutor might offer them a probation period.

This is especially true if the individual is a first-time drug offender. Alternatively, the prosecutor might be willing to reduce the drug crime from a felony to a misdemeanor, resulting in fewer potential penalties.

By agreeing to a plea deal, the accused always gives up certain rights, including their Sixth Amendment constitutional right to a trial by jury and their right of appeal.

They must also appear in court and put their plea deal on the record. As part of this process, the accused individual will tell the judge that they agree to accept the plea deal voluntarily and freely and that no one coerced them into accepting the deal. The presiding judge may then accept the plea deal on the record.

Our legal team can negotiate with state prosecutors on your behalf and pursue a plea deal that is favorable to you. We can also determine whether it is a good idea for you to accept a plea deal in your case, continue negotiating with the prosecutor for a better deal, or take your case to trial and raise a legal defense to your criminal drug charge.

What You Should Do After an Arrest on a Criminal Drug Charge

If a police officer arrests you on a criminal drug charge, you must refrain from answering questions until you have an attorney present with you. If you invoke your right to counsel upon arrest, the police officer continues questioning you, and you say something incriminating, the judge may suppress those statements at your trial.

In addition, following your arrest, keep copies of all pertinent documentation in your case – including any citation that a police officer might have issued to you – as well as your charging documents.

Finally, after your arrest, speak with an Akron drug crime attorney as quickly as possible. A lawyer needs ample time to meet with you to discuss your case, speak with witnesses, plan out potential defenses, and prepare your criminal case for trial.

If you retain an Akron criminal defense attorney too late in the process, they may not have time to adequately prepare your case. Therefore, speak with legal counsel immediately after your arrest.