Negotiations

Negotiations are always part of a criminal proceeding. Negotiations can occur from day one to the last minute of the trial. A great deal of the negotiations depends on your attorney and their relationship with the prosecutor. Your counsel will do their best to get you the accused of on probation or on a lessor charge depending on what you have been charged with.

Generally you will get a better deal at the beginning of the trial because the prosecutor has not spent a great deal of time or energy on the prosecution and will likely be lenient. However the prosecutor may be just as willing to give a good deal depending on how the trial is proceeding. There is no easy way to tell which way the negotiations will go. Negotiations can be a long drawn out process or may be quick and simple depending on the charges and if you are willing to plead guilty or wish to take it to trial.

Generally the judge will accept the plea bargain agreed to by the prosecution and the defense. In some cases the judge will not accept the plea and will require the prosecution to take the case to trial.