Get a second chance! What is a Deferred Prosecution Agreement?

Jun 28, 2016

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You have made a mistake and now you have to figure out a way to not let one mistake affect the rest of your life. The evidence against you makes it almost impossible to fight, so what can you do? The next best thing to getting your criminal case completely dismissed would be a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA).

What is a DPA?

A deferred prosecution agreement is made between you and the district attorney, wherein you admit to the criminal charges, agree to participate in any therapy, community programs or community service and, if you are successful and stay out of trouble for the designated time period, the charges against you will be dismissed.

A deferred prosecution agreement is usually only offered to individuals who have committed a minor offense and have no prior criminal record. You must pay the required fees for the agreement plus any fees for the court ordered classes or counseling. If using drugs or alcohol were part of your offense, you will have to abstain from using and you will have to submit to random testing.

If you fail to up hold your part of the agreement, whether it is not completing the require program or if you get additional criminal charges against you, then you will be taken back to court. Since you have already admitted to the charges, there is no fighting the charges and you will have a criminal record.

If you are innocent of the charges against you, then a deferred prosecution agreement would most likely not be in your best interest because you are giving up the right to a trial. An experienced attorney will be able to give you sound legal advice whether a deferred prosecution agreement is best for you.

Pedersen Law Office, LLC offers free consults in all of our areas of practice and will meet with you personally to discuss the specifics in your case. Our law office serves the communities of Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Oshkosh, Green Bay and their surrounding areas.


Category: Criminal

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