Pros and Cons of Plea Bargains in Indiana

You may know that most criminal cases are resolved through plea bargains. According to Indiana court statistics, in 2022, more than 96% of all criminal cases were resolved through a plea bargain. If you’ve been charged with a crime, it may seem as though, statistically, your case is more likely to be resolved with a plea bargain than it is to go to trial. However, each case is different, and the decision whether to “plead it out” or go to trial is ultimately yours. That’s why it’s important to consider some of the pros and cons of plea bargains before making a decision.

Pros of Plea Bargains

• Certainty. In the vast majority of cases, the deal that the prosecutor agrees to is the one you’ll get. Ultimately, the decision on whether to accept or reject the terms of a plea bargain is up to the judge. In some cases, the judge may disagree with the deal that the prosecutor and defense attorney have struck. In those cases, however, you’ll typically be permitted to withdraw your plea and proceed with a trial or, in many cases, a revised plea deal. 
• Reduced Charges. Many plea deals will have the defendant pleading guilty to lesser charges than the ones they would face if they went to trial. Generally speaking, of course, it is better to have a lower-level conviction on your record than it is to have a higher-level one.
• Less Expense. Trials are expensive; attorneys must spend many more hours preparing for and defending a trial than are required to negotiate and finalize a plea agreement. Those extra hours mean more expense for defendants. At Razumich & Associates, we generally charge our clients a flat fee for criminal defense services, but that fee will vary depending on the offense and whether you are seeking a plea bargain or want to take your case to trial. 

Cons of Plea Bargains

• You’re Admitting to a Crime. In order to secure a plea deal, you will need to admit that you committed the crime that is part of the plea arrangement. Assuming the judge accepts the plea agreement, this will then become part of your record. As we say at Razumich & Associates, “A guilty plea is FOREVER.” So, we are very careful when we advise our clients about plea deals. 
• It’s Hard to Change Your Mind. If you have regrets after your plea deal is finalized in court, it can be extremely difficult to get it reversed. It can also be very hard to appeal it. 
• Your Plea Deal May Vary. The quality of the plea bargain you get can vary tremendously depending on a number of factors: the evidence the prosecutor has, the quality of witnesses for or against you, and the experience and reputation of your attorney. This is why it’s important to retain an attorney who has a solid understanding of Indiana criminal law and procedure, one who has a reputation among prosecutors as a strong, effective, and aggressive defense attorney. 

Razumich & Associates Can Help You Decide Whether a Plea Bargain Makes Sense for You 

If you have questions about whether your criminal case should be resolved with a plea bargain, contact Razumich & Associates for help. We can review the charges and evidence against you and advise you as to what your best approach might be. While we’re no strangers to the courtroom – we regularly defend clients in criminal trials across Indiana – we also regularly negotiate and secure favorable plea bargains on behalf of our clients with prosecutors all over the state.  

Call Razumich & Associates today at 317-449-8661 or schedule a consultation with one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys to learn more about how we can help.