Do people plead guilty when they are innocent?
Asked by: Prof. Arthur Deckow Jr. | Last update: September 21, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (39 votes)
While plea bargaining is generally accepted as necessary to a well-functioning justice system, an inevitable and hidden cost is that it can lead individuals who are innocent to plead guilty to crimes they did not commit.
Why would an innocent person plead guilty?
Sometimes people plea guilty because of the uncertainty of a trial. There may be substantial evidence pointing to someones guilt even if they are innocent. Unfortunately, innocent people are convicted by juries. An accused may be looking at substantial time in the penitentiary or even death if convicted.
Has anyone ever plead guilty and been found innocent?
About 95% of felony convictions in the United States are obtained by guilty pleas (and at least as many misdemeanor convictions), but only 15% of known exonerees pled guilty (261/1,702). Innocent defendants who plead guilty have an exceptionally hard time convincing anybody of their innocence.
Can you plead guilty and maintain innocence?
The name, Alford plea, is taken from the case North Carolina v. Alford . An Alford plea, also known as a "best-interests plea," registers a formal admission of guilt towards charges in criminal court while the defendant simultaneously expresses their innocence toward those same charges .
Do you plead not guilty or innocent?
First and foremost, pleading not guilty upholds the fundamental principle of the presumption of innocence. In the American legal system, every individual accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Why do innocent people plead guilty to crimes they didn’t commit?
Should you ever plead guilty?
You may be able to enter into a favorable plea agreement with the prosecutor if you agree to plead guilty. They may drop the charges to a less serious offense or agree to reduce your sentence. This can be extremely beneficial, especially if you face a jail or prison sentence.
Why do people plead guilty when they aren't?
A criminal case is settled by plea bargain every two seconds during a typical workday in the United States, according to one estimate. Innocent people are frequently coerced into pleading guilty, due to the prospect of facing more jail time or a mandatory minimum sentence.
Why you should never plead guilty?
The consequences of conviction can be costly. You potentially face jail/prison time, fines, court costs, loss of gun rights, loss of voting rights, being kicked out of your apartment, the loss of your job and many other potential "hidden" costs.
Who decides if someone is innocent or guilty?
Jury makes a decision
They include a legal definition of the crime. The jurors meet in private and discuss the case and vote guilty or not guilty. This is called deliberations. To reach a final decision (a verdict), the jury must all agree that a person is guilty or not guilty of each charge.
Can you confess and still plead not guilty?
If you have confessed, you don't have to plead guilty, you can still fight the charges. To understand how to attack a false confession, it is important first to understand the interrogation tactics used by CID, NCIS, OSI and just about every law enforcement agency.
What percentage of innocent people plead guilty?
In fact, nearly 11 percent of the nation's 362 DNA-based exonerations since 1989 involved people who pleaded guilty to serious crimes they didn't commit. Furthermore, according to the National Registry of Exonerations, 18 percent of known exonerees pleaded guilty.
Do you go to jail right away if you plead guilty?
In most cases, you will not be taken directly to jail. Instead you will be given a period of time in which to complete your commitment. Jail alternatives such as electronic home detention and community service are commonly imposed instead of jail if you do not have criminal history.
Why should you never take a plea bargain?
Critics argue that plea bargains can result in innocent people pleading guilty to avoid the risk of a harsher sentence at trial. There are also concerns about the consistency and fairness of plea deals, as well as the potential for prosecutorial overreach.
Do innocent people get angry when accused?
“We conducted four studies showing that people think that anger is a cue to guilt, and two studies showing that people who are falsely accused, versus rightfully accused, are actually more likely to be angry,” Adams said.
What happens if you turn down a plea bargain?
Conversely, if you turn down a plea bargain, you maintain your right to a trial where you can contest the charges against you. This decision allows you to fight for a complete acquittal, which, if successful, means no criminal conviction will appear on your record.
Why do judges say not guilty instead of innocent?
A not-guilty verdict does not mean that the defendant is innocent, but rather that the prosecution has not met its burden of proving guilt. Innocent, on the other hand, refers to the actual state of the defendant. It means that the defendant did not commit the crime they are being accused of.
Are you innocent if found not guilty?
Because "not guilty" does not mean innocence, it means acquittal, i.e. that the proof of guilt was insufficient beyond reasonable doubt. Trials do not establish innocence because it is presumed, see presumption of innocence. Innocence is a matter of fact, not guilty is a matter of proving in a court of law.
How long do most trials take?
How long does a trial take? The length of each trial varies depending on the type of trial, the complexity of the issues involved with that trial, and how long jurors are expected to spend in deliberations. Most trials are completed within a few days to a week.
Do prosecutors want to go to trial?
When a prosecutor decides to take a case to trial, it's typically because they believe they have a strong case that serves the interests of justice. Several factors can contribute to this decision: Strong evidence supporting the charges. Serious nature of the offense.
Is it better to plead guilty or go to trial?
Potential for Reduced Penalties: Often, prosecutors will offer a reduced sentence if you plead guilty, especially in exchange for cooperating with their case or taking responsibility for your actions. If you are facing serious charges, a plea deal might be more appealing than risking a lengthy sentence at trial.
Does pleading guilty reduce your sentence?
In order to encourage defendants to plead guilty, they will be given reduced sentences in exchange for doing so. When defendants take plea bargains instead of going to court, it saves the court and district attorneys a lot of effort and uncertainty.
What happens if I plead not guilty and lose?
You will have an additional court appearance for trial. If you lose, you may receive a higher fine than that offered by the Town for a guilty plea.
Do you go to jail if you plead guilty?
After you plead guilty, you will be sentenced. Depending on the crime, you may face fines, prison time, or both.
What is it called when you plead guilty but not guilty?
In federal courts, such plea may be accepted as long as there is evidence that the defendant is actually guilty." The Alford guilty plea is "a plea of guilty containing a protestation of innocence". The defendant pleads guilty, but does not have to specifically admit to the guilt itself.
Can you be exonerated after pleading guilty?
California Law
Good cause to withdraw a plea is shown when a defendant at the time of the plea was operating under a mistake, ignorance, duress, fraud, or any other factor overcoming the exercise of his or her free judgment.