Is It Ever a Good Idea to Agree to an "Open" Plea Agreement

[mamasands]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Florida, Bradford county, My brother was offered a "open" plea agreement. His Public Defender would not state what the State of Florida was offering. He was to agree to "WHATEVER" in order to not have a trial. I have never heard of this. I advised him to ask the judge to explain this to him and ask for more time or some more information before he agreed to anything. His attorney dropped this in his lap today and his court date is tomorrow. I am at a lost as to how this can happen.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Do you mean that he's being asked to plead guilty as charged? That no plea bargain is being offered? The prosecutor does not have to offer a plea bargain.

We know none of the details, and it sounds like you know at best half of them. We don't even know the charge(s) against your brother. If your brother doesn't like and/or trust his lawyer's advice, he should seek a second opinion.

[indybail]

What this means is the prosecutor is not interested in plea bargaining. There is no offer. Remember, prosecutors are under no obligation to negotiate for pleas.