What is plea bargaining in drug cases?
Plea bargaining is simply negotiating with the prosecutor to get the charges reduced and the punishment minimized. For example, if a person is charged with 4 separate drug charges, (possession, possession for sale, transportation of drugs, and under the influence of drugs), the attorney may be able to negotiate a plea bargain to only possession. The remainder of charges would be dismissed. The attorney can then negotiate a sentence substantially less than prison, such as public work service, or a short time in the local county jail. Each case is evaluated on the quantity and type of drug, and the defendants prior record.
