Facing Multiple Charges? How Plea Agreements Really Work

If you’ve been arrested and now face multiple criminal charges in Missouri, your situation may feel overwhelming. Whether you’re facing several felonies, a mix of misdemeanors, or stacked charges for the same event, plea agreements can be a powerful tool, but only if they’re used strategically and with the right legal team in your corner.

At Rose Legal Services, we defend people across Missouri who are charged with serious offenses. If you or a loved one is facing multiple counts, here’s what you need to know about how plea agreements actually work, when they make sense, and how to avoid pitfalls that can affect your future for years to come.

What are Plea Agreements?

Plea agreements are negotiated agreements between the defense and the prosecution. Instead of going to trial on every charge, you agree to plead guilty to one or more charges in exchange for a benefit, like a reduced sentence, dismissed charges, or a lesser classification (e.g., a felony dropped to a misdemeanor).

But plea offers aren’t one-size-fits-all. In cases involving multiple charges, the outcome depends on several key factors, including:

• How the charges are related (from one incident or several?)
• The strength of the prosecution’s evidence
• Whether there are multiple alleged victims or co-defendants
• Your criminal history, if any
• The specific policies of the local prosecutor’s office

Examples of Multiple Charges

Multiple charges can come from a single event or from several unrelated incidents. Examples include:

Prosecutors may “stack” charges to increase pressure on the defendant and create leverage. This is why skilled legal strategy is essential.

How Plea Agreements Work When You Have Multiple Charges

When you’re facing more than one charge, a global plea agreement can resolve everything at once. Depending on your situation, an agreement might involve:

1. Dismissal of Some Charges

The prosecutor agrees to drop one or more charges in exchange for your plea to another. This may happen when:

• The dropped charges are weaker or duplicative
• The plea still satisfies the alleged victims or law enforcement
• The state wants to conserve resources

2. Pleading to a Lesser Offense

Instead of a felony, you might plead to a misdemeanor, avoiding prison time or the loss of civil rights.

3. Concurrent vs. Consecutive Sentences

If you’re sentenced on more than one count, your lawyer may negotiate for concurrent time, serving both sentences at once, instead of consecutive time, which stacks the years.

4. An Agreed Sentence or a Cap

Often prosecutors and defense attorney can agree on a sentence, whether for probation or otherwise. Other times, they may agree to a cap, and the judge will decide the sentence up to the cap. In either scenario, courts almost always accept the plea agreement, and in the rare situation where a court rejects the plea agreement, the defendant can withdraw his or her plea and take the case to trial or negotiate a new agreement.

5. Suspended Imposition of Sentence (SIS)

In some Missouri jurisdictions, you may be eligible for SIS, which can keep the conviction off your record if you successfully complete probation.

When is a Plea Agreement the Right Move?

This depends entirely on the facts of your case. At Rose Legal Services, we never rush clients into plea agreements. Instead, we investigate:

• Is the prosecution’s evidence weak or flawed?
• Were your rights violated during arrest, search, or questioning?
• Is there a defense that can beat one or more of the charges at trial?

In some cases, plea agreements are a smart way to control the outcome and avoid the worst consequences. In others, it’s better to push for dismissal or take a strong case to trial.

Risks of Accepting the Wrong Plea Agreement

Some plea offers seem too good to be true, and sometimes they are. Agreeing to the wrong agreement can leave you with:

• A felony conviction that affects housing, employment, and gun rights
• Lengthy probation with burdensome conditions
• Multiple convictions on your record that could stack if you’re ever charged again
• A longer sentence than you would’ve received at trial

This is why plea agreements should only be accepted after a full review of the evidence and your legal options, not under pressure from the court or prosecutor.

Why Prosecutors Offer Agreements in Multi-Charge Cases

The state may be motivated to offer a plea agreement when:

• Their case has evidentiary weaknesses
• Trial would be time-consuming or expensive
• There’s a low risk defendant (e.g., no criminal history)
• The community would be better served by rehabilitation than incarceration
• Alleged victims are reluctant or unwilling to testify

In some counties, plea policy may vary by charge type or by elected prosecutor. This is another reason why local knowledge matters when choosing a defense lawyer.

How Rose Legal Services Approaches Plea Agreements

We know how Missouri prosecutors operate, and we know how to advocate for our clients. If a plea agreement is in your best interest, we’ll help negotiate one that:

• Avoids jail or prison time
• Reduces the long-term consequences on your record
• Keeps you working, with your family, and out of custody
• Gives you a second chance to move forward

But we’ll never recommend a plea agreement unless we believe it’s the best option after reviewing your full case file.

Charged with Multiple Offenses in St. Louis or Beyond?

Plea offers can be an effective tool, but only when you have the right leverage, the right strategy, and the right legal counsel.

At Rose Legal Services, we build strong defenses from the start. Whether you’re facing charges in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Jefferson County, Franklin County, St. Clair County, Illinois, Madison County, Illinois, or surrounding jurisdictions, our team can help protect your rights, fight for your record, and position you for the best outcome possible.

Your defense starts with a conversation.