Can a plea bargain be used to reduce the charged offense in a violent crime case?

Yes, generally speaking, a plea bargain can be used to reduce the charged offense in a violent crime case in New Jersey. The purpose of a plea bargain is for the defendant and their lawyer to negotiate with the prosecutor to be allowed to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a reduced sentence, which may result in the defendant receiving a lesser punishment than if they had gone to trial and been found guilty of the original charge. In New Jersey, plea bargain negotiations are not allowed in cases involving capital offenses, such as murder or rape. In other types of violent crimes, such as assault, robbery, arson, and burglary, plea bargain negotiations may be possible. The process of a plea bargain involves both parties negotiating to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. In the plea bargain negotiations, the defendant may agree to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a reduced sentence. The prosecutor may agree to this because they avoid the costs of going to trial and the potential risk of not getting a guilty verdict. The court will make the final decision on whether or not to accept a plea bargain. The court will consider the severity of the offense, the defendant’s past criminal record, and the strength of the evidence before making its decision. The court may accept the plea bargain, reject it, or modify it to meet their own standards.

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Can a plea bargain be used to reduce the charged offense in a violent crime case?

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