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Prosecutors may decide to drop felony charges for one of several reasons. Maybe the evidence isn’t strong enough. Witnesses recanted or disappeared. Higher priorities emerged. Limited resources. Overcrowded courts.
Regardless of the cause, around 25-30% of felony charges get dropped before trial, so there’s a decent chance your case could get dismissed, too.
Of course, there’s no way to know for sure. That’s why you need to depend on a strong and experienced San Marcos, TX criminal defense attorney. By cooperating with an attorney, you’ll have the advantage you need to come out with the best odds in your case.
Felony charges are the most serious criminal offenses, carrying major penalties like years of imprisonment. If you’re facing a felony charge, it’s critical to understand the process and your options.
Prosecutors review felony cases to determine if there is enough evidence to pursue charges in court. They consider factors like witness credibility, the validity of the evidence, and the severity of the alleged crime. Even for the same offense, outcomes can vary based on the prosecutor’s assessment of these details.
A felony charge may be dropped before trial if new evidence comes to light proving innocence or casting reasonable doubt. It may also occur if the prosecutor decides the case is too weak to lead to a conviction. In some situations, charges are reduced to misdemeanors or dismissed altogether in exchange for a plea deal on other charges.
If your charges aren’t dropped initially, don’t lose hope. Between an initial charge and sentencing, you and your lawyer have plenty of opportunities to negotiate a fair outcome, especially in the case of a first-time or non-violent offense.
An experienced criminal defense lawyer can review the details of your case, find weaknesses in the evidence, and fight to get charges reduced or dropped.
While the legal process can be lengthy and stressful, understanding your rights and working with a good lawyer gives you the best chance of avoiding some harsh consequences, even if you’re facing a serious felony charge.
Staying out of further trouble and complying with all court orders also demonstrates your commitment to making a positive change. With determination and the right legal strategy, there is always hope for a fair and equitable outcome.
As a prosecutor, dropping felony charges is never an easy decision. There are several factors that can lead to dropping charges, even for serious crimes.
The biggest reason charges get dropped is simply a lack of evidence. If there’s not enough evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt, prosecutors may decide to drop the charges rather than risk an acquittal. This may result from the refusal of witnesses to testify or a lack of DNA or fingerprints.
Prosecutors have to determine how to allocate limited resources. Sometimes, more urgent or egregious cases take priority, forcing them to drop lesser charges, especially non-violent drug offenses or theft.
A defendant’s background and character can also be a mitigating factor. For example, prosecutors may drop charges against a single parent, student, or person with no prior record – especially for a first-time, non-violent offense. Of course, this depends on the severity of the crime. According to the Pew Research Center, about 2% of felony crimes make it to trial.
Often, prosecutors will drop some charges if the defendant agrees to plead guilty to other charges. This allows them to secure a conviction, as the dropped charges may have led to a weaker case overall.
While there is no single formula prosecutors follow, evaluating the evidence, priorities, a defendant’s background, and the possibility of a plea deal all factor into the dropping of a felony charge. The goal is to seek justice – not just convictions.
Are you facing a felony charge? If so, you need to contact a criminal defense lawyer right away. Call the legal professionals at Mendoza Law for your free consultation now about how to get your felony charge dropped.
We are available 24/7 to speak with you
512.757.8830608 S Guadalupe St #103, San Marcos,
TX 78666, United States