At FLO,
we work with you if you wish to take the Plea Bargains (Both
Sides). However, we explain to you in a clear layman language
the consequence of it.
The key
to understanding plea bargains can be found by examining the
term itself. First of all, it is a guilty plea. A plea means
no trial, less cost, no chance of "getting off on a
technicality" and no risk of an acquittal. In short, a
guaranteed conviction.
Secondly, it is a bargain. It's a bargain for the accused,
because it means a conviction for a lesser offence, or a
lesser punishment for the same offence. It is a bargain for
the Crown because the Crown gets a conviction and, a promise
by the accused to give crucial evidence in the trial of
another accused. Usually, the plea bargain is offered to the
lesser players in the crime, in order to secure a conviction
of the more important accused.
Without plea bargains, accused persons would go to trial on
every charge. They would have nothing to lose. This is an
impracticable result. The court system cannot handle such a
caseload. Plea bargains give the accused a choice. They also
give the accused an incentive to plead guilty: plead now to a
lesser offence, or go to trial and risk getting stung with
more.
We
provide service in the following areas of Criminal Law:
Involving other persons: Assault, (common assault, with a
weapon, sexual assault, aggravated assault) threatening,
harassment, assault bodily harm, etc.;
Driving
offences and highway traffic matters: Impaired driving,
driving over 80, refusing to provide breath sample, dangerous
driving, leaving the scene, careless driving, speeding,
driving while suspended or prohibited, driving without
insurance, etc.;
Firearms and Weapons offences: Possession of a restricted
or prohibited weapon, use of a weapon in the commission of an
offence, careless use or storage of a firearm, etc.;
Involving Drug Charges: Drug Charges including Possession,
Trafficking, cultivating and Importing Prohibited Substances,
etc;
Involving property: Theft, (including shoplifting),
joyriding, possession of stolen property, fraud, false
pretences, forgery, robbery, counterfeit money, break and
enter, arson, etc.;
Involving tax issues: Tax evasion and false declarations
under the Income Tax Act, Excise Tax Act and Retail Sales Tax
Act;
Involving the administration of justice: Breach charges
(probation, recognizance), obstruction of justice, etc.;
Customs and immigration charges & related matters after
conviction: Appeals, parole hearings, pardon applications,
US waivers, Canadian immigration rehabilitation certificates,
deportations, etc.
Moral
Charges: Sexual and pornography charges, prostitution
communications, gambling charges, etc.
Other: Causing a disturbance, prowl at night,
Provincial Prosecutions concerning the Environmental
Protection Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act; Highway
Traffic Act; other quasi criminal prosecutions; etc.