2007-03-27 19:49:43 · 12 answers · asked by God Fears Me 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Sometimes you have to choose the battles you want to engage in.
If you are facing a long sentence, if the matter goes to trial; and you are given the option of "time served" as a stipulated sentence on a plea agreement; and the AUSA's (or DA's) case looks pretty good; it may be prudent to plead guilty.
Although a felony guilty plea may haunt you for quite a while, precluding you from engaging in some professions, if you had any culpability in connection with the crimes charged, you are better off free than risking a jury trial for crimes that will possibly garner a long sentence.
It is something you have to discuss at length with your attorney; not something you can get an answer from on this web site.
Good luck!
2007-03-27 20:28:30 · answer #1 · answered by MenifeeManiac 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not in itself a crime. Of course, the fact that you are confessing to a crime, means you will be guilty of that crime. Pleading guilty is common to avoid a trial in the case that you are willing to take the lighter punishment instead of risking the punishment of a verdict. This is where the "No Contest" plea comes in to play. It is not actually admitting guilt, instead it's saying "I don't have the ability to deny the charges." It's possible for example that the DA has evidence that would make it appear to a jury that you were guilty when in fact you weren't but couldn't explain the evidence. Thus, you take a no contest (also called Nolo Contendre) plea in exchange for a lighter sentence.
2007-03-27 20:00:10 · answer #2 · answered by Robert L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, but only someone who has bad attorney would even contemplate that I hope! I know people do it, and you are letting the person that committed it off the hook!
I suspect some are coerced by their attorney with a plea bargain as if you get convicted you would be facing a stiffer sentence! I think that is a crime!
2007-03-27 19:56:15 · answer #3 · answered by cantcu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is illegal, because you are lying under oath. however it is a catch 22. If you say you are guilty, no one will believe you later when you say you were lying, and either way you are breaking a law.
however I have seen situations where innocent people have been pressured by law and bad situations to plead guilty. Sometimes they get to a point where the best chance they have is taking the offer and pleading guilty It is an interesting twist
2007-03-27 19:59:25 · answer #4 · answered by Laxer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. As a matter of fact, with regard to most cases, the strategy of most public defenders is to convince their clients to make a negotiated guilty plea so that they don't have to do the job of defending the case.
2007-03-27 19:54:22 · answer #5 · answered by Kevin 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are under oath and say a lie, it is a crime. No matter if you are hiding a crime you did or are confessing a crime you didn't do, the legal system in all countries I know says it is false testimony if you lie under oath, and false testimony is always a crime.
2007-03-27 20:01:22 · answer #6 · answered by Rumtscho 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perjury capacity 'violating a court's order'. If crime exchange into commited via somebody else and additionally you're taking accountability, then it capacity that the actual criminal has a huge gamble to flee, that's unlawful.
2016-12-08 12:58:03 · answer #7 · answered by adamek 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah i think it is but i don't think you would get an any trouble for the false guilty part but you would get in trouble because now you admitted your guilty
2007-03-27 19:57:50 · answer #8 · answered by timmy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Why would you admit to a crime you didn't do anyway?
2007-03-27 19:53:23 · answer #9 · answered by ChocLover 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Against common sense, yes!
2007-03-27 19:53:38 · answer #10 · answered by Barry auh2o 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋