Legal Question in Criminal Law in Connecticut

Once you have decided to accept a negotiated plea offer from the State, the judge must hear from your attorney, the State, and the crime victim or the crime victim�s representative before deciding whether to accept or reject the plea agreement. As a general rule, the judge does not have to agree to the plea agreement, including any promises made by the prosecution regarding the defendant�s sentence. If a judge chooses to accept the agreement he may also choose to sentence you right after accepting the plea, or may schedule a future date for sentencing. Sentencing is usually scheduled for a month or more after the plea hearing. This allows time for a pre-sentence investigation report. During this report a probation officer will speak to you, your family members, friends, and others as part of their investigation. Once you entered a plea and the court announced your sentence, it is too late to withdraw the plea. It is up to your defense attorney to speak to the prosecutor prior to the entry of the plea to determine when you must turn yourself in. The judge will usually allow you to remain out on bond, unless the prosecutor objects to this. It is important to discuss this with your attorney prior to accepting a plea, or prior to your sentencing.

If you have any further questions regarding criminal defense in Connecticut, please contact Joseph C. Maya, Esq. at (203) 221-3100 or e-mail him directly at [email protected].