I don't know if any of you watch the show To Catch A Predator on Dateline, but if you do I have a question. Every single guy they catch always pleads innocent. Why? They were caught on numerous cameras red handed as well as chat logs. I don't understand why or how they can plead innocent.
2007-02-28 03:23:09 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Well, you see it's all about legal defense strategy. Pleading not guilty gives the defense an advantage. By doing so they imply that are willing to take the case to trial.
Trials cost government tremendous amounts of time and money. For this reason, government prosecutors (i.e. district attorneys) will often make offers for lesser charges or sentences in order to get the defendant to plead guilty and avoid a trial.
So, it is actually like a "threat of trial" when these predators plead not guilty. They are setting the upper hand so that they will get an offer. It is because of our legal precept "innocent until proven guilty" that they are able to do this despite the multitude of evidence against. Everyone in the United States has the right to a fair trial and the right to attempt to prove their innocence. No matter how guilty they appear.
2007-02-28 03:34:13 · answer #1 · answered by duffman 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
To allow themselves an out in the legal proceedings. If they plead guilty, they're done. If they plead innocent there is always a loophole, a technicality or some kind of bargain they can use in court.
Just like how Nicole Richie pled innocent to driving under the influence when she admitted to the cops that she took vicodin and smoked pot. She's got a good lawyer, she'll get off somehow.
2007-02-28 03:33:30 · answer #2 · answered by Get a life 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, no one pleads "innocent" in court. You are either guilty or not guilty. Second, pleading not guilty is simply the mechanism by which to get the case rolling in the courts, including to discover the extent of evidence that the DA has on you, have experts and your defense attorney look it over and decide on the best strategy for proceeding with your case.
Very few people plead guilty at an arraignment, it's just too early in the process.
2007-02-28 03:32:01 · answer #3 · answered by jurydoc 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They really can plead any way Guilty/innocent, the crazy goofs feel they are innocent. They think they can get off. I see this type of stuff everyday That s the way it is. I feel they should plead guilty thay have already been caught red handed.
Its their right to plead however they want.
2007-02-28 03:31:58 · answer #4 · answered by Da Queen 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because everyone in this country pleads innocent. If you're lawyer is good enough, you can get off of anything. That's how our system works. Ain't it great?
What bothers me about those shows is that these guys, if convicted, are getting a slap on the wrist. They only get charged with things like contributing to the deliquence of a minor and sending pornographic images to a minor. They never actually catch them doing the actual molestation.
2007-02-28 03:27:22 · answer #5 · answered by yodadoe 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When you are charged with a crime you plead "Not Guilty" first b/c it's standard. If you immediately plead "Guilty" then you absolutely cannot change your plea, however, "not guilty" can be changed to "guilty" or "no contest." It's not that they don't think they did anything wrong or they've got bad lawyers, it's b/c it gives them time for a defense or make a plea bargain....you can't do that if you say you're guilty right off...you'll get sentenced w/o trial or plea bargaining.
2007-02-28 03:33:53 · answer #6 · answered by emrobs 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the charge. Technically, since none of these guys actually touched or had sex with the minor in question, they are probably pleading innocent to a sexual assault charge. Enticement of a child is nasty, but some have argued that they are being charged and potentially convicted as felons for "thought crimes," since they "didn't actually do anything." Then again, why these bozos would drive to a house with condoms in their wallet (and booze, and dope, and whatnot) if they had no intention of scoring with Junior, is beyond me.
2007-02-28 03:33:17 · answer #7 · answered by pokecheckme 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They try to plead that since they didn't actually have sex with the minor, they didn't break the law. Wrong. Intent (phone calls and IMs) is enough to issue an arrest warrant.
2007-02-28 03:31:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You have a right to plead anyway you want. They may be guilty in your eyes, but it's not up to you to decide. That's why we have a judicial system in this country.
2007-02-28 03:31:47 · answer #9 · answered by RodneyRowland 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's the beauty of lawyers, they'll find any kind of loop hole in the charge that they might be able to slip through, so they plead not guilty to see if they can keep it off their record. Obviously, their faces are guilty as sin, and anyone that watches and knows them will prosecute them in their own way.
2007-02-28 03:27:28 · answer #10 · answered by AMY 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋