Can You Negotiate a Plea Deal in a Florida Racketeering Case?

Racketeering is a first-degree felony that could land you 30 years in prison and a hefty fine. If a plea deal is an option in your case, a racketeering attorney in Florida may advise you to consider it to lessen your sentence. 

But is a plea deal available in all cases? And how should you decide whether to accept it? Discover more below.

What Is a Plea Deal? 

A plea deal or plea bargain is a deal between you and the prosecutor in your racketeering case. This deal would allow you to reduce your sentence if you plead guilty to your charges. 

Pleading guilty means the judge will not dismiss your charges. You won’t have the opportunity to prove your innocence with the help of a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) attorney in Florida. Instead, the case is resolved without a trial. Consider carefully the terms of a plea bargain, before agreeing to the deal. 

Will the Prosecutor Offer You a Plea Deal? 

Plea deals are not available in every case, but there’s a chance the prosecutor will negotiate a plea deal for a racketeering case. Historically, the state of Florida has commonly offered plea deals in racketeering cases. 

Plea bargains are beneficial for the court system because they save time and money. Prosecuting attorneys typically have overburdened schedules, and a plea deal saves them the time involved in gathering evidence for your case and enduring a lengthy criminal trial. 

However, several factors impact whether or not a plea bargain is available for racketeering charges:

• The publicity of your case
• The severity of your potential sentence
• Any public pressure for the state to prosecute you 
• Your desire to go to trial
• Victim input

If you’re considering a plea deal but the prosecutor has not yet brought it up to you, talk to a racketeering defense lawyer in Florida about whether it could be an option in your case. 

Should You Accept a Plea Deal in a Racketeering Case? 

You’ll want to take the time to carefully consider all of the terms of your plea bargain with the help of your Florida racketeering lawyer before making a decision about it. 

Consider all of these factors as you think about whether to accept a plea bargain: 

• The strength of your case: If you and your attorney have a lot of evidence in your favor, the chances of winning the case may be relatively high. But if the prosecution’s case against you is strong, and you don’t have much evidence, accepting a plea bargain could be the right call.
• The terms in the plea deal: You may choose to entertain a plea deal if the proposed sentence is significantly less harsh than the potential sentencing for your charges if you go to trial. Carefully consider these terms and talk to your RICO attorney about sentences that are typical for past racketeering cases. 
• The impact on your criminal record: Keep in mind that accepting a plea bargain ends in a conviction, which ends up on your criminal record and may influence your financial, housing, and employment opportunities. 

Seek an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney for Racketeering Charges in Florida 

While a plea bargain may be available in your case, carefully consider this offer with an attorney with racketeering case experience in Florida before reaching a decision. 

If you’re seeking a Florida criminal defense lawyer, contact Michael White, P.A., today at 954.270.0769 to schedule your consultation.