Should I plead guilty to a misdemeanor and wait for it to go away or go through the hassle of a trial?
the misdemeanor was reduced from a felony of Burglary down to petty theft due to lack of evidence (they know I didnt do it and dont have any proof). How long would that be on my record? Should I plead not guilty and go through the hassle of a trial? HELP ME?
Answers:
If they do not have evidence & you didn't do it than ,Why plead guilty to anything, let them prove you did it, If they can't then they will drop the charges & you can get it expunged. If you plead guilty you will carry this on your record for life. Every job, loan, back ground check If you plan on traveling some countrys won't let you in,there it is your a criminal.An have a record.I wouldn't.A friend went threw this an she couldn't get a job for 1.5 yrs until it was expunged. Just my thought.
DO NOT PLEAD GUILTY
especially if you didn't do it, the burden is on THEM, if they have no real evidence, how bad can a trail be? You do not want that on your record, it will always be there, even after a certain number of years, they just can't hold it against you even though they can see it, who knows, the cop might not even show up to testify, don't ruin your name over it
you're a thief!!
If your not guilty, i don't see why you would put up with having a guilty verdict on your record. Fight the law and see what happens.
You need to consult with a lawyer. I don't think is advice I'd get from freelawanswer.com .
If their case sucks go to trial.
Just plead guilty mistemeanors are on your record but they are like a slap on the wrist usually you dont even have to go to trial. Just pay the fines or community service and dont worry bout it. It will go away in a year or 2 and you never have to claim it on anything like job apps or anything like that. Just take care of it and youll be fine.
I'm confused. If they know you didn't do it, why are you being charged? If you're "truly" innocent, I wouldn't plead guilty.
Yes please get yourself an attorney. Depending on what state you live in there could be something called a "diversion program" where it does not remain on your permanent record as long as you obey the terms and conditions of probation, which you will probably be placed on.
YOU NEED A LAWYER DON'T PUT YOU LIFE ON THE LINE BY WHAT SOME ONE HERE SAYS. IF FOUND GUILTY IT STAYS ON YOUR RECORD FOREVER. IF THEY HAVE A LACK OF EVIDENCE KEEP HOLDING OFF THEY MAY EVENTUALLY DROP IT. BUT CONFER WITH AN ATTORNEY TO BE SURE OF YOUR STRATEGY.
Just pleading guilty does not allow a criminal to go scot-free! It depends on the gravity of the crime!
you need to have a serious discussion with an attorney...anyone that gives you advice on this is doing you a major injustice...especially without knowing all the details. even if you don't have any money, it's quite possible that a criminal attorney will at least give you a consultation at a minimal charge, then you can tell your public defender what he/she advised. (since a lot of times a public defender will just want you off his/her docket...but maybe you can get a good one)...like i said...speak to an attorney
It stays on your record - doesn't go away.
A guilty verdict, either pleading guilty or being found guilty by a jury, will never go away and it will haunt you the rest of your life unless you are able to get it expunged from your record. If they didn't have some kind of proof, you wouldn't have been charged. Sometimes lower offenses are offered in a plea deal just to unclog the courts or to get a sure thing conviction. If you didn't do it, why would you consider pleading guilty? Never plead guilty to something that you didn't do, that's just plain stupid. Just as stupid as say... breaking the law.
15 years ago,someone used my car and was stopped,he had a pipe with THC,that he hid under my seat.The officer made him get out of the car and searched my car,he wouldnt face up to the fact,so, they charged me with a mistameanor since it was my car.I wasnt even in the car.But that thing has been haunting me ever since,I wished I went to trial now,it will never go away off my record,and costs 5000.00 to have it expunged,if you are not guilty go to trial.
Help yourself and go talk to an attorney! The first visit is free.
If you aren't guilty, don't cave in. Fight it all the way. By reducing the charges they are hoping you will take the deal. I would prefer to go thru the"hassle" of a trial if I'm innocent-- Let's see, freedom from the court system because I'm innocent or jail time (possibly), fines, probation, restitution, criminal record. Seems like a no brainer.
Unless you are a minor, this will always be on you record.
If you want your name completely cleared then you will have to have a trial and win you case. Other wise you will have this hanging over your head as a police record. Which may prevent you from getting a really good job in the future. If you loose the case and found guilty then your record will be the same when a CORI is done on you when you go for any job, even a really good job.
Good luck.
Honestly if you didn't do it why would you plead guilty. If they have no proof that is even more of a reason to not plead... I am unsure of the record, I would tend to think that regardless it will be there for the rest of your life.
If you have a good lawyer then your lawyer should let you know that you have nothing to worry about.
If you plead you may get a suspended sentence with probation. If you screw up on probation then you will be forced with no IF's, AND's or BUT's, to complete your entire suspended sentence.
But if you DID NOT do it, and they don't have proof, I would not plead guilty. It will hurt you, they ask if you have been arrested on all applications for just about anything.
But since you are questioning it, that makes me think that you have a Public Defender and then you are really screwed if you plead. They don't care, you are just a file for them. (for most of them anyway)
Consult a local criminal attorney. If can't afford, call your city or state Bar Association to find one for free or real cheap. Or consult Legal Aid in your community. Too important to leave to chance.
if you did not do it do not plead guilty under any circumstances, however if you were guilty it is better to plead guilty for a lesser sentence, the cost of a trail is taken into consideration, the onus is on the police to produce enough evidence to go to trail if they cant do that the charges will be dropped
You have not said if you are under 18 if you are it would be on your juvenile record but would not be on your record after the age of 18, if you are over 18 it will be on your record for life
I am assuming you live in the UK
Well, if you're innocent, then get a good defense attorney and plead not guilty. Don't take a plea bargain just to avoid a trial; again, if you are truly innocent. As far as how long it would stay on your record if you do take the plea, I would think that depends on your age. Are you a minor? If so, then it should be expunged once you turn 18 or 21, not for sure though if all states do that. JMO
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