Defendants often focus on things like getting out of jail and continuing life when they’re facing criminal charges. Some may think about their defense strategy, but you need to make sure they’re looking at the full picture if you’re in this position.
One thing that you need to consider in these cases is what factors may affect sentencing. These can vary greatly, but learning what may impact your case could help you to shape the defense strategy you use for your case.
Your criminal history
Your criminal history can play a primary role in the sentence that you face. If you have prior convictions for the same crime, you may face penalties that are based on having those prior convictions. Similar crimes and other points on your criminal record may also impact the sentence you’ll face.
Sentencing guidelines
Sentencing guidelines work to ensure that sentences fit the crime. The court has a wide range of possibilities that can be used. In some cases, they are bound by mandatory minimum penalties. Those minimums mean that they can’t issue a sentence lighter than what’s required.
Victim and extenuating factors
In some cases, such as if the victim was a child, elderly or a civil servant, the penalties may be harsher. Other extenuating factors, such as weapons being involved, may also lead to increased penalties.
Working with someone familiar with these matters may be beneficial so that you can learn how various strategies may affect the sentence you’re facing. Getting this started as early in the process as possible may give you time to work through the available options.
