How does a federal plea agreement work?

A federal plea agreement is a contractual agreement between a defendant and a prosecutor in a federal criminal case. It is a way for the parties to resolve the case without having to go to trial. The defendant agrees to plead guilty or no-contest to some or all of the charges against them in exchange for certain concessions from the prosecution. In North Carolina, when a defendant enters a federal plea agreement, the plea must be made in open court before a judge. The defendant must be present and must enter a plea of guilty or no-contest to one or more of the federal charges against them. The defendant must also admit all the facts necessary to support the guilty or no-contest plea. Once the plea is entered, the judge will ask the prosecutor and defense counsel to confirm the plea agreement. The judge will then decide whether to accept or reject the agreement. If the judge accepts the agreement, the court will enter a judgment and sentence the defendant according to the agreement. The defendant will then have to abide by the terms of the plea agreement, which could include fines, restitution, or a period of probation. If the judge rejects the agreement, the parties can either renegotiate or proceed to trial. It is important to remember that plea agreements in federal criminal cases are binding and cannot be changed. It is generally advised that defendants seek legal advice before entering into a federal plea agreement.

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How does a federal plea agreement work?

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