3 Things To Know About Pleading Guilty

When you are arrested for a crime, you are legally presumed to be "not guilty." If you proceed to trial, the prosecution is tasked with the process of proving your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and you will only be found guilty if they succeed. As the defendant, you can choose to bypass the trial proceedings by pleading guilty. However, before you do so, it is important to get a realistic understanding of what a guilty plea may entail. Our criminal defense attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to help.

A Few Things To Know About Pleading Guilty

 1. Pleading Guilty May Result In A Lighter Sentence
Pleading guilty to a crime upfront (rather than waiting for the prosecution to prove guilt after a long and rigorous trial process) may result in a lighter sentence than would otherwise be rendered. However, this may not always be the case. Your attorney can help you get a realistic expectation of what the outcome for both situations may be so that you can make a more informed decision.
2. Pleading Guilty May Result in a Criminal Conviction On Your Record
Pleading guilty can have a similar outcome as a guilty verdict... a criminal conviction that remains on your record forever. There are long-term consequences a criminal conviction may have on your day-to-day life, such as making it more difficult to obtain professional licensing, preventing you from purchasing a firearm, and exercising your right to vote. 

 3. Pleading Guilty May Require You To Forfeit Some Of Your Constitutional Rights
Our founding fathers promised the American people multiple rights that would ensure all citizens received fair and equitable treatment during the trial process. Pleading guilty results in the waiver of some of these constitutional rights. Here are a few general examples of some of the rights you may be giving up by submitting a guilty plead:
  • The right to testify in your own defense (and be heard)
  • The right to a trial by a jury of your peers
  • Th right to an appeal

Consult With Your Attorney Before Tendering A Guilty Plea
Pleading guilty is difficult to unwind. While it may be the best option in certain cases, we encourage you to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Camden County MO before tendering a guilty plea. Our attorney can help you examine all of the details surrounding your case and to identify the best course of action for your situation. Contact O'Donnell Law Center to schedule your consultation today.
We Carry Your Burden ~ You Carry On With Life.

Disclaimer: No attorney-client relationship is created by the publication of this blog.

The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising.

Phone: (573) 552-0317

O'Donnell Law Center, LLC
1026 Palisades Blvd. Suite 3
Osage Beach, MO  65065
Location: Osage Beach, MO 65065, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Top 5 Ways to Make Divorce Easier on your Children

Image
Divorce is a tough time for everyone involved – especially kids. It can be hard for young children to understand what is happening to their family. It can be difficult for children to process this time as their family dynamic changes. As your divorce attorney in Osage Beach, MO , our law center sees a number of children struggle as their parents get a divorce at the Lake of the Ozarks. We’re here to help parents through the divorce process but we’d also like to help offer advice on how to make this stressful time easier on your kids, as well. 1) Be Honest It’s best to be honest about your divorce with your kids. While they may not need to know all the ugly details, they deserve to know what is going on with their parents. Have an open conversation about your divorce from your spouse and let them know they can ask any questions they may have. Try to answer any questions in an honest and positive manor. 2) Encourage them to Share Feelings You should always encourage your kid...
Read more

Cremation vs Burial – What’s the Difference?

Image
Planning for end of life may come with more decisions than you first expect. Creating an estate plan near the Lake of the Ozarks can help relieve your loved ones from having to make many tough decisions upon your passing. Not only can you decide who will receive your assets, you can also plan your end of life wishes for being laid to rest. Our estate planning attorney in Camden County, Missouri wants to help inform you of some of the decisions you’ll need to make as you make your end of life plans. In this week’s blog, we’re comparing the difference between cremation and burial options for being laid to rest. All About Cremation: Cremation is the act of being incinerated until your remains become ashes. This method of body disposal is becoming more and more popular. Timeframe – cremation can take place further after death. The flexibility with time allows your family time to gather and plan a more personalized ceremony. Paying Respects – family and friends can memorialize th...
Read more

Meet Attorney Deirdre O'Donnell!

Image
Positive and genuine client relationships are our number one priority at O'Donnell Law Center. We truly care about getting to know our clients so we can provide them with the best possible legal services at the Lake of the Ozarks . We recognize that strong relationships are a two-way street, though, so this week we're dedicating our blog to helping you get to know the Lake of the Ozarks' top attorney , Ms. Deirdre O'Donnell. Getting to Know Deirdre! I was born in St. Louis, Missouri on February 22, 1962. I graduated from Pattonville High School in St. Louis County and went on to earn a BA from Washington University in St. Louis, a Master's Degree in Social Work from Washington University and a Juris Doctorate Degree from Washington University School of Law. By 1996, I was licensed to practice law in the state of Missouri. In my young adult years, I played keyboard and performed in various St. Louis venues in a contemporary jazz band. I later worked a...
Read more