If you’ve been charged with a crime, understanding the consequences you can face is vital. However, when facing a felony charge, you may not know where to begin due to the severity of these offenses. As such, when the prosecutor offers you a deal in exchange for a guilty plea, you may want to take advantage of this offer. If you’re considering whether or not you should plead guilty to a crime, you’ll want to keep reading to discover why this may not be in your best interest and why consulting an Oklahoma City felony defense lawyer is crucial.
Are There Benefits to Pleading Guilty to a Crime?
In most cases, you should not plead guilty to the crime you are charged with. Often, the prosecution, or entity responsible for charging and proving you guilty of a crime, does not want to endure a lengthy court battle. In many instances, they will offer what is known as a plea deal.
Generally, a plea deal allows the prosecution to reduce the charges against you, often lowering how much time you could spend in jail or on probation, in exchange for entering a guilty plea.
However, as almost any attorney will tell you, there are little to no benefits to entering a guilty plea to the initial charges against you. Agreeing to a plea deal, however, may be recommended.
When Should I Plead Guilty?
You should never plead guilty to a crime unless you have consulted an attorney and, as your legal representation in the matter, advise you to do so. Unfortunately, many assume that pleading guilty to a crime is less complicated than enduring a trial, which is not always the case. When you enter a guilty plea, you relinquish all chances of being found innocent by a jury of your peers. As such, you should avoid this unless you have spoken to an experienced criminal attorney.
If you are innocent, you should not plead guilty to criminal activity. In some instances, a guilty plea, even if you are innocent, can result in deportation and loss of professional licenses. As such, fighting the charges is likely in your best interest.
In the event you are charged with a felony, you should remain silent. Do not, under any circumstances, tell the police anything. Even if you are innocent, speaking to the police can be used against you in court.
When facing a felony charge, ensuring you take all necessary steps to protect yourself is crucial. That’s why you need a competent attorney from the Jones Firm, PLLC on your side. At the Jones Firm, PLLC, our dedicated legal team will do everything possible to help you through these challenging times. Contact us today to learn how we can provide you with legal assistance.
