9.94A.450 - Plea dispositions. - Washington Statutes

Plea dispositions.

STANDARD: (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a defendant will normally be expected to plead guilty to the charge or charges which adequately describe the nature of his or her criminal conduct or go to trial.

     (2) In certain circumstances, a plea agreement with a defendant in exchange for a plea of guilty to a charge or charges that may not fully describe the nature of his or her criminal conduct may be necessary and in the public interest. Such situations may include the following:

     (a) Evidentiary problems which make conviction on the original charges doubtful;

     (b) The defendant's willingness to cooperate in the investigation or prosecution of others whose criminal conduct is more serious or represents a greater public threat;

     (c) A request by the victim when it is not the result of pressure from the defendant;

     (d) The discovery of facts which mitigate the seriousness of the defendant's conduct;

     (e) The correction of errors in the initial charging decision;

     (f) The defendant's history with respect to criminal activity;

     (g) The nature and seriousness of the offense or offenses charged;

     (h) The probable effect on witnesses.

[1983 c 115 § 16.]