A plea bargain typically allows a suspected criminal to plead guilty to obtain a lighter punishment. In some plea bargains, an individual may be given the option of pleading guilty to a lesser charge, which usually comes with more lenient penalties. But is it always wise to accept a plea bargain? Below, criminal defense lawyer Sean O'Neill of the O'Neill Law Firm, LLC, in La Crosse, WI, discusses three situations in which you would likely want to take a plea bargain.

3 Scenarios in Which You Should Take a Plea Bargain

1. When the Plea Bargain Benefits You

If you are facing the possibility of a trial and a prosecution that has a mountain of evidence against you, it may be in your best interest to take an offered plea bargain. But there must be some tangible benefit to you. Will you be able to plead guilty to a less serious offense? Will your sentence be shorter? A plea bargain is a negotiation, so be sure you work with your criminal defense lawyer to work out the terms you're comfortable accepting.

2. When You Know You Are Guilty

On a very fundamental level, only you and you alone know whether you committed the crime of which you stand accused. The evidence in the case can either help or hurt the position you've taken, depending on which side is presenting the evidence. If you know you are guilty and know there is sufficient evidence to back it up, you may not want to risk a trial. In cases like these, a plea bargain might be preferable.

3. When Your Lawyer Advises It

You are always in control of your case and the directions you choose to take with it. With that said, your criminal defense lawyer is a legal professional who knows criminal law inside and out, and they can give you real, practical, eye-opening advice on the best decisions to make for your case. Listen to what they have to say, and if they think a plea bargain is the route to take, it may be time to start negotiating.

If you're involved in a criminal case, you deserve to have quality legal representation looking out for your rights and interests. O'Neill Law Firm, LLC has more than two decades of experience serving La Crosse, the Coulee Region, and Western Wisconsin; they also offer services as a bankruptcy and family lawyer. Call (608) 519-3551, visit the firm online, or reach out to them via Facebook to make an appointment with a criminal defense attorney.