GUIDELINE 11.6.1 – THE PLEA NEGOTIATION PROCESS
A. Counsel should explore with the client the possibility and desirability of reaching a negotiated disposition of the charges rather than proceeding to a trial. In so doing, counsel should fully explain the rights that would be waived by a decision to enter a plea instead of proceeding to trial, and should explain the legal and/or factual considerations that bear on the potential results of going to trial.
B. Counsel should ordinarily obtain the consent of the client before entering into any plea negotiations.
C. Counsel should keep the client fully informed of any continued plea discussion or negotiations, convey to the client any offers made by the prosecution for a negotiated settlement and discuss with the client possible strategies for obtaining an offer from the prosecution.
D. Counsel should not accept any plea agreement without the client's express authorization.
E. The existence of ongoing plea negotiations with the prosecution does not relieve counsel of the obligation to take steps necessary to prepare a defense. If a negotiated disposition would be in the best interest of the client, initial refusals by the prosecutor to negotiate should not prevent counsel from making further efforts to negotiate.