Those who are arrested will want to know more about the possible outcomes for their case. There are numerous outcomes possible in the criminal justice system based on the choices the defendant and their lawyer feel is right for the client’s situation. Before making any decision, the defendant should talk with a Criminal Lawyer Moorhead MN about all of the available options.
Pleading Guilty
If there is sufficient evidence against the defendant and they do not want to try to fight the charges, they can plead guilty. The downside to this is that they will have a criminal record. The positive side to this, however, is that they can request lenience and the judge may be more willing to grant leniency after a guilty plea.
Accepting a Plea Bargain
In some instances, the defendant may be offered a plea bargain that allows them to receive reduced penalties by pleading guilty to a lesser crime. The downside, as with above, is that the defendant will now have a criminal record. The positive, however, is reduced penalties as well as the potential for a felony charge to be reduced to a misdemeanor charge, depending on the circumstances.
Taking the Case to Court
The last option may be to take the case to court. When this happens, the prosecution will need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. Depending on the evidence and the facts of the case, going to trial may be a good option because it may be difficult for the prosecution to do this. However, depending on the case, this might not help the defendant avoid a guilty verdict, so it may not be worth the time or the expense.
Even when the defendant tries to have the charges dismissed and that doesn’t happen, they still have a few options to consider. It’s important the defendant seeks advice from a Criminal Lawyer Moorhead MN so they can get the information needed to make the right decision for their situation. If you need help figuring out what to do about criminal charges, Click Here to visit the website for the Aaland Law Firm now.