What are the consequences of a plea bargain in criminal defense law?

A plea bargain is a process in which a defendant in a criminal case agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a more lenient sentence than what they would have received had they been found guilty of the original charge. In criminal defense law in New York, a plea bargain can have significant consequences for the defendant. First, accepting a plea bargain usually means that the defendant will receive a shorter sentence or have charges dropped, which is beneficial to the defendant. If the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge, they may avoid a trial and all of the costs and stress that come with it. Second, by pleading guilty, the defendant is essentially admitting guilt for the original charge. This could affect their ability to receive financial aid for college, find a job, or travel in the future. Additionally, it could affect their credit score and result in their criminal record being on file for at least a decade or in some cases even a lifetime. Finally, the effects of a plea bargain can linger. People that are found guilty of criminal offenses often struggle to find employment once released from jail, making it harder to get back on their feet and lead a successful life. It is important to understand the consequences of pleading guilty before entering into a plea bargain in criminal defense law in New York.

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What are the consequences of a plea bargain in criminal defense law?

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