I guess if the crime you're accused of carries a sentence worse than 18 months, it might be worthwhile, but who knows...
But in the US a criminal record can haunt you for decades. At job applications or housing applications. Elections. And many other bad things that haunt people for a long time. 18 months is horrible too but better then a criminal record haunting you.
But in the US a criminal record can haunt you for decades. At job applications or housing applications. Elections. And many other bad things that haunt people for a long time. 18 months is horrible too but better then a criminal record haunting you.