When a person is facing criminal charges, it is up to them how they choose to proceed. They can either confess to committing the crime or claim that they are innocent. At times, innocence is not enough reason to go to trial. It is necessary to consider the possibility that the judge or jury may still declare you guilty, with respect to incriminating evidence. There are several things to consider before finalizing the decision to plead guilty or take the case to trial. If you are uncertain of what path to choose, it is best to consult a professional and experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer.
Your lawyer can evaluate different aspects of your case and advise you take action accordingly. While listening to your legal representative is a good idea, the final decision lies in your own hands. If your lawyer tells you that pleading guilty is better under the given circumstances, you can still go to trial if you prefer, and vice versa. Every criminal case is unique, thus it is not so simple to determine whether pleading guilty or requesting a trial would be the better option.
Pros and Cons of Pleading Guilty
Pleading guilty immediately after receiving charges for a criminal offense is seldom recommended. Guilty or not, the decision to take liability for a crime should never be taken in haste. If the prosecutor believes that the defendant will quickly plead guilty, they are unlikely to offer a favorable plea bargain. When the defendant pleads ‘not guilty’ or ‘no comment’, the prosecutor may offer a better plea bargain before the court date. Settling the matter out of court is often in the best interests of both parties involved.
Pleading guilty is almost useless if you’re going to receive the full punishment of the levied charges anyway. A plea bargain that promises reduced charges and lesser penalties is to be sought. Nonetheless, not wasting time to plead guilty could be the right move in the wake of an unusual situation. Many alleged offenders choose to plead guilty as it saves time and prevents cost of litigation. A criminal defense lawyer will only rule in favor of a trial if your chances of winning the case look good.
Another advantage of pleading guilty is that the resulting sentence is known, whereas the outcome of a criminal court trial is unpredictable. The case may drag for years, cost you thousands of dollars, end in you losing, and impose a sentence that is harsher than the preliminary penalties.
Pros and Cons of going to Trial
When you choose to take the case to trial, you get the opportunity to fight the allegations and clear your name. If you succeed, all charges may be dropped and your criminal record remains spotless. Apart from escaping legal penalties/jail time, you also sidestep the implications on your personal life. A criminal record can interfere with a person’s employment, education, social relationships, and family matters. Criminal trials can be challenging, expensive, time-consuming, and downright frustrating; yet, the hardships are worthwhile, as long as the probability of winning seems high.
Law enforcement will thoroughly investigate all evidence presented during trial, and perjury will have dire consequences. Your fate lies in the hands of the designated judge/jury, so you shall have to do your best to gain their support. The judge/jury may deem the original punishment unfit and devise something that is worse.
Author Bio:
John Adams writes about Web Design Battle. He encourages his readers to enhance their high quality of life by incorporating optimistic and good issues. As he likes to share his perception about life experiences, he has contribute on varied on-line platform in the identical area of interest.
