Never Stop Negotiating for the Client
An Elizabethtown murder trial was avoided by a last-minute plea deal. It’s a perfect example of why an effective criminal defense attorney will never stop negotiating for the client. The defendant agreed to plead guilty in the fatal shooting.
As part of the plea bargain, the murder charge was reduced to first degree manslaughter. There’s a significant difference in the sentences. He received an 18-year sentence versus what could have been 20 years to life.
Other charges were either amended down or dismissed entirely. Again, you never stop negotiating for the client. The additional charges of criminal attempt to commit murder were amended to 2 counts of wanton endangerment in the 1st degree. The Commonwealth dismissed the charge of tampering with evidence.
In yet another concession, the wanton endangerment charges were set to run concurrently. This means that the multiple 5-year sentences will be served at the same time the defendant is serving his 18 years for first degree manslaughter. Effectively, it means the additional charges didn’t actually add time to the sentence.
It Takes a Good Poker Face
Prosecutors want to get convictions. It looks good on the résumé. Depending upon the facts of the case, they are sometimes willing to negotiate to get a conviction. However, it takes a skilled, criminal defense attorney to know when to push and when to sit back and see what the prosecution really needs for their case. Just like a good poker player, you play the cards you’ve been dealt and read the other players at the table. Sometimes you raise, sometimes you call, sometimes you bluff and when the pot is right, you have to know when to go all in.
Talk to an Attorney Who’ll Never Stop Negotiating for the Client
Contact my office at (502) 589-6916. Kentucky prosecutors are tough. You need someone just as fierce on your side. This is especially true if you’re facing Kentucky drug charges or have been arrested for murder. Negotiating isn’t something you leave up to a rookie.
Full disclosure: The defendant in this story is not my client.
Link to news story: http://www.thenewsenterprise.com/news/crime_and_courts/plea-deal-reached-in-e-town-murder-case/article_58b973a0-28c1-11e9-9043-1bee40ec9d22.html
