Can the severity of a class A felony charge be reduced in plea negotiations? A class A felony is among the most serious types of criminal charges you can face. It often involves crimes like first-degree murder, certain types of assault, domestic violence, or large-scale drug trafficking.
Reducing these charges in plea negotiations typically involves aggressive legal advocacy from a skilled felony defense attorney. Call one now at Combs Waterkotte at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our legal team has successfully handled over 10,000 cases just like yours.
Plea bargaining makes up the great majority of criminal justice transactions, far more than the stereotypical picture of a courtroom with a judge, jury, lawyers, and a galley full of onlookers. More than 90 percent of convictions, both federally and at the state level, are the result of plea negotiations.
Although common, plea bargaining still calls for skillful advocacy and effective communication skills – perfect for a think-on-your-feet type of lawyer, just like the Combs Waterkotte class A felony defense team. In the right scenario, a class A felony might be reduced to a class B or class C felony, which would carry lighter penalties.
In perhaps an even better situation, your attorney may be able to recommend alternative sentencing options to the prosecution such as:
- Suspended Imposition of a Sentence (SIS)
- Suspended Execution of a Sentence (SES)
- House Arrest
- Probation
- Fines & Restitution
- Deferred Adjudication
- Community Service
Factors That Influence Plea Negotiations and Charge Reductions
There are a number of things that can influence a reduction in your charges. Every case is unique though, so you should speak with your attorney prior to plea negotiations. A few of the factors are:
- Mitigating Circumstances: Factors like your state of mind, lack of intent, or other mitigating factors can be used to argue that the crime was less severe than the initial charge suggests. Your Combs Waterkotte class A felony defense lawyer might prove these legitimate defenses, leading to a plea negotiation and charge reduction.
- Strength of the Evidence: If the prosecution’s evidence is weak, your Combs Waterkotte defense lawyer might have more leverage to negotiate in the severity of the charge. If there are questions about the reliability of key evidence or witness testimony – things our defense attorneys are experts at posing – the prosecution may agree to reduce a class A felony to a lesser offense.
- Your Criminal History: A defendant with little to no prior criminal history likely has a better chance of securing a plea deal for reduced charges than someone with a lengthy record.
The Benefits of Plea Negotiations
As opposed to many other firms, the Combs Waterkotte class A felony defense team is not afraid of going to trial. And we certainly use that to your advantage. We have nothing but your best interests in mind when plea bargaining. The benefits include:
- Lesser Penalties: Probably the biggest benefit because reduced charges or sentencing recommendations typically result in significantly shorter prison terms and/or reduced fines.
- Avoiding a Lengthy Trial: Plea negotiations may prevent a lengthy and stressful trial, which can obviously result in a higher penalty if convicted.
- Predictability: You know the outcome ahead of time, instead of rolling the dice and risking the uncertain outcome of a jury trial.
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Contact Combs Waterkotte to Find Out if the Severity of a Class A Felony Charge Can Be Reduced in Plea Negotiations
While it’s possible to reduce the severity of your class A felony charge via plea negotiations, the success of this strategy depends on the specifics of your case, the strength of the evidence, and other factors. A skilled criminal defense attorney plays a critical role in the success of the negotiations.
Call Combs Waterkotte right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a confidential case review.
