Frequently Asked Questions About Accepting A Plea Deal For Domestic Violence Cases

If you have been charged with battery, assault, or domestic violence, hiring a criminal defense attorney is important. A criminal defense attorney can help you with your case in many different ways, including presenting defenses that may help to prevent you from being convicted or negotiating a plea deal to help you avoid stiff penalties associated with domestic violence convictions. If you are considering a plea deal, you may have many questions about the deal.

Here are a few frequently asked questions that you may have about domestic violence cases and plea deals.  

Can You Negotiate Your Own Plea Deal For Domestic Violence Cases?  

Technically, there is no law against you negotiating your own plea deal. However, it is unheard of for a defendant to negotiate their own plea deal with a prosecutor, and it is highly unlikely that a prosecutor would sit down and discuss a plea deal with you. As such, you most likely need a public defender or a criminal defense attorney to negotiate a plea deal on your behalf. 

What Are the Benefits of Accepting a Plea Deal for Domestic Violence Cases? 

There are a number of benefits associated with accepting a plea deal for a domestic violence case. Domestic violence cases often carry a multitude of penalties, possibly including anger management or domestic violence courses, fines, jail time, and probation. You may be able to accept a plea deal in which the charges against you are reduced, which reduces the penalties you are facing. Taking a plea deal can also help you avoid a lengthy trial and the uncertainty of not knowing whether a judge or jury will convict you. 

What Types of Crimes Are Domestic Violence Cases Often Reduced Down To? 

Domestic violence cases are often reduced to lesser charges, especially if the victim in the case refuses to cooperate. Some of the lesser charges that a domestic case may be reduced down to if you accept a plea deal include criminal trespassing, disorderly conduct or simple assault charges. A criminal defense attorney can help you to understand what prosecutors in your county are willing to reduce the charges to if you accept a plea deal. 

If there is a lot of evidence against you, or if you want to avoid a lengthy trial and the stiff penalties that you may incur if you are found guilty, you may decide that accepting a plea deal is in your best interest if you are charged with assault, battery or a domestic violence case. A criminal defense attorney can help you negotiate the best possible plea deal. 

Reach out to a criminal defense attorney that takes domestic violence cases to learn more

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