Can a Criminal Defense Attorney in Nashville Negotiate with Federal Prosecutors for Reduced Charges or Sentencing in Federal Cases?

Each year, less than five percent of criminal cases go to trial, with the rest being resolved through plea deals. That is because heading to trial is expensive, stressful, and comes with the risk of harsh penalties. If you are facing federal criminal charges, you want to obtain a defense attorney who can put their skills to work for you. At Andrew C. Beasley, PLLC, our Nashville federal criminal defense attorneys will work tirelessly to negotiate reduced charges or consolidate charges on your behalf, allowing you to move past this transgression.

Overview of Plea Bargains

A federal crime carries the potential for a harsher punishment as opposed to being tried for a state criminal offense. In some circumstances, your best option may be having your defense attorney negotiate a plea bargain with the assistant U.S. Attorney (more commonly known as a “federal prosecutor”). If there is sufficient evidence against you, it may be better to discuss a plea bargain than take your chances in front of a jury. A plea bargain will allow you to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a reduced sentence, skipping the hassle of trial and proceeding directly to sentencing. Even if a plea deal is struck, a judge must approve it.

Types of Pleas in a Federal Criminal Case

The Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure allow a defendant to plead guilty, nolo contendere (translating to “I do not wish to contend”), not guilty, or in some situations, the defendant may enter an Alford plea. An Alford plea is only available to a defendant if agreed upon by a judge and prosecutor. In entering an Alford plea, the defendant acknowledges that though there is enough evidence to convict them, they do not admit to committing the offense.

However, to reach a plea deal, a defendant must plead either guilty, nolo contendere, or enter an Alford plea. A plea deal can be reached through a federal prosecutor pursuing any of the following:

• Moving to consolidate charges (either through reducing the number of charges or the severity of said charges)
• Recommending a lesser sentence
• Honoring the defendant’s request for a specific sentence

Pros and Cons of a Plea Bargain

While a plea bargain allows faster resolution to your case while potentially giving you the opportunity to complete your sentence outside of prison, it does come with certain drawbacks. Nobody knows with absolute certainty how a jury will decide, so voluntarily depriving yourself of this civil right is not always in one’s best interest. Be aware that in some cases, the victim’s input may weigh into the conditions of your plea bargain, so the agreement reached may not be as lenient as you initially hoped. 

If there is convincing evidence against you, then a plea deal may be your best bet. Even if there is incriminating evidence in your case, our Nashville federal criminal defense attorneys will do everything in our power to protect your interests. Our priority is to keep your record clean and your good name untarnished. If we believe that a conviction is unavoidable, only at that point will we discuss the possibility of negotiating a plea deal.

Speak with Our Nashville Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers Today

Although a plea bargain can take the uncertainty of trial off of a defendant’s shoulders, it does eliminate your ability to tell your story in front of a jury. Although a jury consultant may be able to predict how a jury will respond at trial, there is no sure way of knowing. At Andrew C. Beasley, PLLC, our legal team is dedicated to doing what is best for you. If the scales of justice appear to be tipped in the prosecution’s favor, we may recommend taking a plea deal. To discuss your case or to schedule your free consultation with one of our Nashville federal criminal defense attorneys, contact us online or by phone today.