If you are accused of committing a criminal offense in North Carolina, one of the most important decisions you will have to make is whether to plead Man Thinking About Pleading Guilty or Not Guiltyguilty. This decision can be even harder to make if you were falsely accused of a crime.

Your decision could have serious ramifications in your criminal case and have long-term consequences long after serving your sentence. Here are some considerations you should think about before deciding what to do.

Factors to Think About When Deciding Whether or Not to Plead Guilty

You should never make a decision on whether to plead guilty without first consulting with an experienced criminal defense lawyer. They will conduct a thorough investigation into the facts surrounding your arrest and obtain the evidence that the police have against you. They can also help you evaluate the pros and cons of pleading guilty vs. taking your case to trial. Here are seven things you should consider when deciding what to do:

Your Right to an Attorney

If you do not believe that you can afford to hire an attorney to defend you, you may believe your only option is to plead guilty. However, in most cases, you have a constitutional right to have a lawyer represent you. If you cannot afford one, the court would appoint a public defender or another attorney to represent you at no cost to you.

Limited Options to Take Back Your Plea

If you plead guilty and later decide to withdraw your plea, your options may be limited. If you try to withdraw your plea before sentencing, you may have to show that you have a fair and just reason to do so. It would be much harder to withdraw your plea after you are sentenced by the judge.

Public Record

If you plead guilty, you would be convicted of a crime and have a permanent criminal record. This could have long-term consequences in many areas of your life, such as:

  • Employment
  • Housing
  • Scholarships and enrollment in college
  • Your right to drive
  • Your professional license
  • Owning a gun
  • Voting
  • Immigration status

Possible Sentence

You should consider the possible sentence you would face if you plead guilty. North Carolina uses a complicated sentencing system that takes into account many factors, such as your prior criminal record and the seriousness of the crime you are pleading guilty to. You need to understand the potential fines, jail or prison sentence, or other punishments you may face.

Your Constitutional Rights

You will not be able to raise violations of your constitutional rights in the pre-arrest or arrest stages of your case if you plead guilty. If the police did not have probable cause to detain you, obtained a confession after you exercised your right to not incriminate yourself, or obtained evidence against you illegally without a warrant, you may be able to challenge their actions and get the charges against you dismissed if you do not enter a plea of guilty.

Other Defenses

You may have other strong defenses to the charges you face—even if you know you are guilty. You would waive your right to raise these defenses if you plead guilty. You need the help of a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer to weigh how strong your defenses are and the likelihood that they will result in the charges against you being dismissed or reduced to a less serious offense.

Plea Bargain

You also need to consider whether the prosecutor is offering you a favorable plea bargain in exchange for your guilty plea. If not, it may be smarter to let your lawyer mount an aggressive defense strategy if there are violations of your constitutional rights or other defenses. The prosecutor could agree to a plea bargain where the charges against you or your sentence are reduced at some point before your trial.

Are You Looking for a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Charlotte, NC?

If you are facing criminal charges, you need to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Charlotte office directly at 980.207.3355 to schedule your free consultation.

 

Howard W. Long, II
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Charlotte Criminal Defense and DWI Lawyer