QUESTION
If my public defender didn't tell me I was offered a plea bargain and I was convicted, can I opt for that plea?
Asked on Apr 15th, 2013 on Criminal Law - Georgia
More details to this question:
My attorney neglected to tell me that the state was offering me a plea bargain if I plead guilty to my charges. The plea would have been less in the long run had I known, however I did not and went through the case "normally". I was found guilty of my charges and the penalties were more severe. Due to my attorney not informing me of this plea bargain, is there any way I can accept the plea agreement now?
1 ANSWER
Samuel H. Harrison
There is a recent U.S. Supreme Court case on that very point and it is very helpful to you. The Court said that an attorney's failure to inform the client of a plea offer from the state is ineffective assistance of counsel. You need to contact someone very soon and raise this issue.
Answered on Apr 16th, 2013 at 9:41 PM