If you have been charged with a crime, you have a few different option when it comes to how you’ll proceed with your case. You can plead guilty and hope that the judge will go easy on you, but there’s no guarantee that will happen. So what are your options if you’ve decided that pleading guilty isn’t something you are going to do? In today’s blog, we take a closer look at your options if you’ve decided that pleading guilty to the original charges is just something you’re not going to do.
I’m Not Pleading Guilty
If you’ve decided that you’re not going to go down without a fight, here’s a look at your potential options.
1. Fight The Charges Yourself – A fair amount of people opt to contest the charges in court on their own. This may be the best route if it’s a very minor traffic issue or some other petty offense, but if there are real consequences on the line, you probably want to consult a professional. If you’re on the fence about contesting the charges, remember that pleading guilty ensures a guilty verdict. That’s not guaranteed if you build a credible defense and go to bat for yourself in court. It never really hurts to at least have your day in court, even if it seems like the odds are stacked against you.
2. Hire A Lawyer – If you want to give yourself the best chance to beat the charges, you’ll want to consult with a lawyer. A lawyer will have a wealth of experience fighting and winning similar cases, and they’ll be able to review all the evidence and develop the strongest defense for your individual case. The prosecution will have professional legal minds in their corner, so the best chance to win your case will involve bringing in your own expert to handle your defense.
3. Discuss Plea Options – A final option to consider is a plea deal. Yes, a plea deal will see you plead guilty, but odds are it will not be to the original charges, or if it does involve a plea to the original charges, you will have some say in sentencing recommendations. It may not be an ideal outcome to your case, but a plea deal allows you to avoid a worst case scenario where you are found guilty and have no hand in sentencing recommendations. You can work with the prosecution to negotiate a deal for yourself, or you can have an attorney discuss plea availability while they are reviewing and building your defense.
If you want an ally in your corner in your quest to prove your innocence, connect with a group of attorneys who have secured favorable results for so many past clients. In the greater Twin Cities area, connect with Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm at (952) 224-2277.
