Wondering whether to negotiate a plea deal or go to trial? Explore key factors to help you make the best legal decision.
The United States Constitution grants every resident in Maine, and the entire country, the presumption of innocence, a right to due process, a fair hearing, and legal representation when they are charged with a crime, regardless of how convincing the evidence against them might be. The constitution acknowledges that the circumstances that lead to a person being arrested matter and the fact a person was perceived to have committed a crime does not necessarily mean they are guilty of said crime.
For example, killing a person is generally frowned upon, and most people who are found to have killed another are guilty of murder. However, there are circumstances in which killing is legal, like in self-defense. Sending someone who killed another in self-defense to jail will be wrong, and the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial gives them a chance to prove their innocence.
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The Criminal Justice Process in Maine
When suspects are charged with a crime in Maine, they can either plead guilty or not guilty to the charges against them. By pleading guilty, they admit they committed the crimes they are accused of, which quickly wraps up their legal case. On the other hand, pleading not guilty means the defendant maintains their innocence and intends to fight to get the charges dismissed or secure a not guilty verdict at trial. Every defendant would be faced with both choices but which is the right one to choose?
Every circumstance is different and defendants should consult a reputable criminal defense lawyer to weigh their options and determine the best course of action.
The Role of a Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Maine, they will use their expertise and understanding of the law to assess your case and determine the likelihood of success if it is taken to trial. The outcome of past cases is also an indicator of how a case will be judged at trial, as historical precedence tends to shape the arguments made at trial and the way a judge will rule.
When to Consider a Plea Deal
As a rule, a Maine criminal defense lawyer may advise you to negotiate a plea deal if there is overwhelming evidence that you committed the crime you are charged with. If there is video footage, audio recordings, credible eyewitness accounts, expert testimony, paper trails, wire transfers, or other pieces of evidence that explicitly prove that you committed a crime, it may be wise to negotiate a plea deal. Negotiating a plea deal saves time, and legal fees, and can get your charges lowered from a felony to a misdemeanor.
When to Take Your Case to Trial
You should consider taking your case to trial if you:
Endnote
The right choice between negotiating a plea deal or taking your case to trial varies by circumstance. It is something your lawyer will counsel you about after analyzing your circumstance with an experienced eye and weighing historical precedence. If there is overwhelming evidence against you, consider taking a plea deal, as your admission of guilt might earn you goodwill from prosecutors and a judge and give you an outcome that is better than what you would get if you lose at trial.
On the other hand, if there is a good chance you will beat the case on its merits or on a technicality, your lawyer may advise that you take the case to trial and file motions to dismiss the charges before the trial starts.
