Pras, the rapper from Fugees, has revealed his decision to reject a plea deal, potentially subjecting himself to a 22-year federal sentence. He explains how he was offered a deal that would see his charges go away and get the government to return money seized from his four bank accounts.
Plea bargains are often helpful to defendants who commit crimes and want lighter sentences than they could receive after trial. They also limit cases that require considerable time and expense in court.
What is a Plea Agreement?
A plea agreement is a way for the prosecution and the defense to resolve the case without having to go to trial. It is also called a “negotiated plea.”
Defendants should consider a plea deal only after they have been fully informed of their rights and options. The best plea agreements come from a skilled criminal defense attorney who understands the prosecution’s case, introduces favorable evidence, and leverages that against the recommended sentencing terms.
A plea agreement may result in probation, a lighter fine or reduced jail time, and it can also reduce some charges or dismiss other ones. It can also eliminate a defendant’s fears of having to stand trial and may give the defendant more control over their case.
Why Plead Guilty?
The man behind one of the century’s greatest financial scandals, a high-stakes negotiation between global superpowers and a host of major crimes, was Pras Michel. A member of the rap group Fugees, Pras was a key figure in Malaysian businessman Jho Low’s scheme to siphon more than $4.5 billion from 1MDB.
According to Bloomberg, Pras got caught in the web when FBI agents interrupted him for brunch near his SoHo apartment. They pulled out photos of Chinese officials and questioned him about his meetings.
Pras was accused of conspiracy and falsifying records because of his role in the campaign finance violations. Reportedly, he was also compensated for his role in lobbying the Trump administration to halt its investigation into Low and 1MDB.
What is the Leverage of the Plea Agreement?
Defendants often feel compelled to take plea deals because they don’t want to risk going to jail for a crime they didn’t commit. However, a plea deal can also leave defendants feeling resentful or defeated.
Sometimes prosecutors are eager to strike a plea deal in cases where they believe they may lose at trial, such as if there are cracks in their case or if a defendant has strong defenses to a particular charge.
Plea bargains are a win-win for defendants and prosecutors, as they allow parties to resolve their criminal exposure. They reduce the number of defendants who go to trial and help manage overburdened judicial and prosecutorial resources.
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