what does it mean when a person charged with a crime pleads guilty?

Question

legal

Answer 1

It means he accepts the responsibility and therefore the sentence will be more lenient than if he pleaded not guilty and found guilty.

I am not a lawyer

Answer 2

When the person appears before the Magistrates' Court (or, if committed to the higher court, attends the Plea and Directions hearing at the Crown Court) they are asked to enter their plea. If they plead not guilty, then the matter has to go to trial, which means the Court has to go through the process of deciding upon the defendant's guilt or innocence, and if they are found guilty the Court will decide on the sentence.

Often, however, defendents choose, or are advised, to enter a guilty plea. Admitting responsibility for the crime in this way is looked upon favourably, but only if "timely" (i.e. right away and not months into a trial) and must under the law be considered a mitigating factor (one which makes the sentence less severe). In custodial sentences, these can be reduced by up to one third for timely guilty plea; community sentences may also be less severe.

Answer 3

If a person pleads guilty, they have admitted they committed the crime, and the legal system has the right to treat them as guilty.

As pleading guilty can save court time, and costs, the judge, or magistrates can give some concession to the sentence at their discretion.

Answer 4

A guilty plea means that a date for sentencing can be set costing less to the tax payer...it also mean a third off the sentence... so not bad eh?...especially as some defendants wait right to the day of a trial and enter a late guilty plea and get the same consideration as someone entering an early guilty plea...

Answer 5

Pleading guilty is the same as being found guilty by a jury in the eyes of the law, except when you plead guilty you lose your rights to appeal.

Answer 6

When a person pleas guilty to a crime they are saying I did it. There is no jury so they are more likely to get a lighter sentence then if the had go to a jury trial.
If your are under 18 the record will be sealed when you turn 18.
However if you are 18 or older it will stay on your permanent record.

Answer 7

In the court's eyes, you are admitting guilt and throwing yourself at the mercy of the court. Even if you are pleading guilty as part of a deal with the prosecution.

Answer 8

Well if you plead guilty to the crime then i suppose its a fair cop.

Answer 9

No. It ability which you're *claiming* to be harmless of the crime. despite if or not you particularly are harmless is yet another count number. in case you plead not in charge, the prosecution could desire to then recent info to instruct your guilt previous functional doubt. The courtroom will then ascertain despite while you're in charge or not in charge. while you're discovered not in charge, then you definately are launched. while you're discovered in charge, the courtroom can then sentence you for the crime. in case you plead in charge, it ability which you admit to doing it, and the courtroom is going directly to sentencing. There would not could desire to be info proving which you're in charge. some jurisdictions enable different pleas as nicely, including no contest, which in actuality ability you do not admit to doing it, yet do not desire to dispute the fees the two. It has an analogous effect as a in charge plea (i.e. you nevertheless get sentenced), besides the undeniable fact that it could effect further criminal complaints in an prolonged time.

Answer 10

it wont have a trial, because thats when they have pleaded not guilty and you have to prove the guilt/crime, makes things a little easier, costs less, and means he/she might have a reduced sentance for it