NICK ALCOCK COMMENTS ON PLEA OFFER POLICIES IN MARICOPA

Posted by: Criminal Defense Attorneys at Alcock & Associates

Criminal Defense lawyer Nick Alcock knows that getting a lenient plea offer from the Maricopa County Attorneys Office is no easy task. Over the years, plea offers have gotten more and more strict. Problem is, people get quite confused about how plea offers are made and how they get better.

Says criminal attorney Alcock, “I keep speaking with clients who are convinced that felony prosecutors make three different plea offers. I can tell you that isn’t how it works. Every time the prosecutor makes an offer it has an expiration date. Sometimes the prosecutors will make a better offer after the old one expires. Sometimes not.”

Alcock says there are two key elements to increase your chances of good plea offer from the Maricopa County Prosecutors. “First, an attorney should always look for weaknesses in the State’s case. If a motion to dismiss can be filed, it increases the odds the State will be willing to bargain. Second, a letter called a deviation request should be filed in many cases. This letter formally spells out why the defendant should get a deal that is better than the norm.”

Alcock notes that one of his firm’s strong suits is the fact that he has numerous former Maricopa County prosecutors working for his firm. “It’s great that ourcriminal defense attorneys know the finer details of the County plea policies. It really helps us when negotiations get tough.”

Other factors that can change a prosecutor’s mind about a plea include: letters of support, maintaining employment and avoiding any further run ins with the law during the pendency of the case.

If you have a question about how the County makes plea offers or would like to have a felony case reviewed free of charge, call the law firm of Alcock & Associates. When you call, you can speak with Phoenix criminal lawyer Stacey Feldman. She can speak with you over the phone about your case. Call 602-989-5000.

Nick Alcock