If you’re facing federal criminal charges, it’s normal to be scared. Federal prosecutors are known for their hardline approach, and the government has vast resources at its disposal. Anyone who’s facing federal criminal charges should understand that these are very serious.
It isn’t always easy to sort fact from fiction when you’re facing criminal charges, but there are at least two important things you need to keep in mind as your case moves forward – since the more you know, the better you can participate in your own defense:
Plea bargains are possible
Federal criminal cases can be (and usually are) resolved with plea bargains if the defendant and the prosecutors all agree that one is in order.
In these cases, the defendant pleads guilty to a specific charge or set of charges in exchange for some deals from the prosecutor. This can include things like dropping certain charges or seeking a less serious sentence. The defendant must ensure that they won’t want to appeal the sentence because appeals aren’t possible for cases resolved with plea deals.
Parole won’t happen
Parole isn’t offered any longer at a federal level. Federal parole is now only possible for people who are convicted of crimes that were committed prior to November of 1987. This means that people who are sentenced to incarceration for a federal crime will serve their entire sentence.
Taking the time to learn about your rights and options before you go to court can help you to know what you should do. Working with someone who’s familiar with the federal criminal justice system helps to ensure that you fully understand what your defense strategy may accomplish.