Plea bargaining

• Pages: 493-622
• Author: Thomas J. Farrell,Brandon D. Minde

PLEA BARGAINING

17-1

CHAPTER 17

PLEA BARGAINING

I. INTRODUCTION

A. General Points

§17:01 Most Cases End With a Bargain

§17:02 Two Types of Bargains

§17:03 Factors Generally Considered

B. Charge Bargains

§17:10 Definition

§17:11 When Sentences Merge

§17:12 Avoid Collateral Consequences

§17:13 Minimize the Counts

C. Sentence Bargains

§17:20 Definition

§17:21 Involvement of the Judge Varies

§17:22 Jurisdictions With Sentencing Guidelines

§17:23 Right to Withdraw Plea

§17:24 Have the Prosecutor Take No Position

§17:25 Pre-Sentence Investigation

§17:26 No Arrest Clauses

II. SPECIAL PLEAS

§17:30 The Open Plea

§17:31 Appeal Waivers

§17:32 Bench Trial With Stipulated Facts

§17:33 No Contest Pleas

§17:34 Conditional Pleas

III. WHEN TO ENTER A GUILTY PLEA

§17:40 Reasons for an Early Plea

§17:41 Reasons for Pleading Later

IV. CHARGING BY INFORMATION

§17:45 Waiver of Indictment

§17:46 Signed Information

PLEA BARGAINING

Criminal Defense Tools and Techniques 17-2

V. COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES

§17:50 The Duty to Advise the Client

§17:51 Summary of Significant Collateral Consequences

§17:52 Waivers of Non-Jurisdictional Defects

§17:53 Immigration Consequences

§17:54 Sex Offender Registration

VI. COOPERATION; CONSEQUENCES & PROCEDURES

§17:59 Determining if Cooperation is an Option

§17:60 Advantages of Cooperation

§17:61 Risks of Cooperation

§17:62 The Carrot and Stick to Cooperation

§17:63 Scope of Cooperation

§17:64 Prosecutor’s Discretion to Assess the Value of the Cooperation

§17:65 Practical Protections

VII. ALTERNATIVE DISPOSITIONS

§17:70 Diversion Programs for Minor Offenses

§17:71 Disadvantages of Diversion Programs

§17:72 Creative Agreements

VIII. PREPARING YOUR CLIENT

§17:80 It Is Your Client’s Decision

§17:81 Know Your Case

§17:82 Know Your Client

§17:83 Gain Your Client’s Trust

§17:84 Play Out the Trial

§17:85 Enlist the Help of Family and Friends

§17:86 Give Your Client Time and Attention

§17:87 Be Cognizant of Your Own Interests

§17:88 Preparing Your Client for the Plea

§17:89 Taking the Plea

IX. POSTPLEA PROCEEDINGS

A. Enforcing Plea Agreements

§17:100 Agreements Are Interpreted by Contract Principles

§17:101 Making a Record

§17:102 Off-the-Record Agreements

B. Motions to Withdraw Guilty Pleas

§17:110 Withdrawing Plea Before Sentencing

§17:111 Withdrawing Plea After Sentencing

§17:112 Discussing the Withdrawal With the Client

C. Expungements

§17:120 Authority for Expungements

§17:121 Effect of Expungement

D. Pardons

§17:130 Procedure

§17:131 Effect

PLEA BARGAINING

17-3 Plea Bargaining

X. FORMS

Form 17-1 ARD Application

Form 17-2 Diversion Motion

Form 17-3 Diversion Agreement

Form 17-4 Diversion Order

Form 17-5 Diversion Restitution Schedule

Form 17-6 Sample Plea Agreement (Federal)

Form 17-7 Sample Plea Agreement (Federal) With Cooperation and Stipulated Factual Basis

Form 17-8 Sample Proffer Letter (Federal)

Form 17-9 Sample Cooperation Agreement (Federal)

Form 17-10 Sample Plea Offer (New Jersey)

Form 17-11 Sample Prosecutor’s Plea Memorandum (Federal)

Form 17-12 Waiver of Indictment (Federal)

Form 17-13 Information

Form 17-14 Application for Permission to Enter Plea of Guilty (Federal)

Form 17-15 Plea Form (New Jersey)

Form 17-16 Written Plea Colloquy

Form 17-17 Script for Federal Plea Colloquy

Form 17-18 Expungement Order (Pennsylvania)

Form 17-19 Partial Expungement Motion (Pennsylvania)