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5 Factors That Could Impact a Criminal Sentence

Elements in a criminal case that could influence its outcome.

By Mariela CorellaPublished 3 years ago 2 min read
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A criminal conviction can have a significant and lifelong consequences on your life. A conviction could impact your personal life, your relationship with family and loved ones, future job opportunities, your reputation and position in the community. The outcome of a criminal case depends on a variety of elements, every case is unique, and the results all vary. However, there are some common factors that could impact a criminal sentence. Some of these factors may be out of your control, such as an individual judge’s decisions on your case or criminal charges you have in your past. One of the elements that you may have control over and that could make a difference in your case is the lawyer who represents you. These are other aspects in a criminal case that could influence its outcome.

If you have a criminal history

The outcome of your case may be impacted if you have a criminal record. Any prior charges or convictions could play a significant role in how the prosecutor deals with your case. If you have prior convictions the prosecutor may be less likely to work out a favorable plea agreement. This isn’t always the case and it all depends on your current charges and what your criminal history is about, but prior convictions could impact the outcome of your case.

The attorney representing you

The attorney you work with can make a significant difference in the results of your case. Make sure you choose a defense lawyer with experience defending cases in the area where you are being charged. A skilled criminal defense attorney will conduct a thorough investigation of your case to determine the best strategy to defend your charges, they will hire the necessary experts to support your defense and fight for the best possible outcome. An experienced attorney may be able to get your charges dismissed or reduced to a less serious offense with a lesser sentence.

Who the crime victim was

Who the victim was in your case could also play a role in the severity of the criminal sentence. Crimes against vulnerable people like the elderly or children usually receive a harsher sentence.

Aggravating factors in the case

Aggravating factors are circumstances that make a felony crime more serious. Some aggravating factors include, if the defendant was on probation or parole when he or she commited the crime, if there was an abuse of power or authority, and the extent of violence used during the crime and physical harm the victim suffered. The presence of aggravating factors could result in a harsher sentence.

Circumstances surrounding the crime

The circumstances in which the crime was committed could also have an impact on the outcome of your criminal case. If the defendant was an accessory to the crime and not the sole author of it the judge may look at this and impose a lesser sentence than if the defendant acted alone. If no one was injured during the criminal acts this could also positively affect your case.

Whatever type of charges you are facing, whether it’s a misdemeanor, felony, a DUI, domestic abuse, shoplifting, or other crime, it’s always wise to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. For example, if you’re riding in the car with a friend and get pulled over and they discover your friend has drugs inside the vehicle, a drug crimes attorney can help defend your case by establishing your innocence and that you weren’t aware of the drugs inside the car.

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