In life, there are a lot of things that are negotiable. From simple everyday tasks to major business deals and more, negotiations happen on a daily basis in Oregon. What many people may not understand that in the criminal courts, negotiations take place all the time. Prosecutors are often eager to make deals with defendants to quickly and quietly settle certain criminal cases. These negotiations are often called plea deals and can lead to reduced sentences for defendants and guilty pleas for prosecutors. Plea deals are especially common in cases involving drug charges.
In a recent Oregon case, a 30-year-old man has been arrested and drug charges are likely. According to police, the man was stopped on Oregon 22 for unlawful possession of a weapon. He was arrested. Following his arrest, police claim that they obtained a search warrant for his apartment. During that search, police allege that they found two-and-a-half ounces of methamphetamine and five ounces of heroin.
According to police, the man is likely connected to another drug bust where police found an additional five ounces of meth. At this point, the man has only been charged with the weapons charge, but officials claim that additional charges for drug possession are likely.
While in cases, like this one, where people have been charged for drug possession it may be common for a prosecutor to offer a plea deal, people should be careful. Plea deals may seem attractive at first, but in some cases they aren't the right decision. People should understand that they have legal rights and criminal defense options available to them that may offer a better outcome then pleading guilty.
Before people enter into negotiations with prosecutors, they should understand which options are available to them. Depending on the facts in each case, people may be better off skipping the negotiations.
Source: The Oregonian, "Polk County weapons arrest leads to Gresham drug cache, police say," Stuart Tomlinson, Nov. 15, 2013
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