What will happen if I plead guilty?
Asked by: Tristin Beier DDS | Last update: January 24, 2026Score: 4.4/5 (58 votes)
If you plead guilty it means you admit the charge and elements to prove the charge. By pleading guilty you waive your constitutional rights and in most cases will be sentenced right then. However, you may speak on your behalf at sentencing.
Is it better to plead guilty or go to trial?
One reason so many cases get resolved by plea bargain is that a deal provides (more) certainty for the defendant. If the prosecutor and defense make a deal and the judge agrees to it, the defendant will have a good idea of the outcome. With a trial, there's a much bigger risk of a tougher sentence.
What are the consequences of a guilty plea?
Pleading guilty to a criminal charge can lead to significant consequences, including a permanent criminal record, penalties like fines or imprisonment, collateral consequences like loss of voting rights or professional licenses, and the waiver of important constitutional rights.
Why you should never plead guilty?
By maintaining a not guilty plea, you ensure that your right to a fair trial is preserved, and the burden of proof remains squarely on the prosecution. Additionally, pleading not guilty allows your defense attorney the necessary time and opportunity to build a robust defense.
Is pleading guilty a bad thing?
Accepting guilt means waiving numerous rights, including the right to a trial by jury and the possibility of being found not guilty. Furthermore, a guilty plea, even to a lesser charge, is an admission of guilt that remains on your record, which can potentially affect future opportunities and personal freedom.
You're supposed to plead NOT GUILTY (even if you did it).
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.
Does pleading guilty shorten sentence?
While a guilty plea can lead to a reduced sentence in many cases, there are scenarios where it might not have the desired effect. Mandatory sentences: Some crimes carry mandatory minimum sentences, limiting the judge's ability to reduce a sentence regardless of a guilty plea.
Should I pleading guilty even if I'm innocent?
It will be your decision whether to plead guilty or go to trial. Even if you know you have been falsely accused of committing a crime, you will need to consider whether it is in your best interests to enter a guilty plea.
Does it matter if you plead guilty?
Pleading guilty
If you plead guilty you will get a reduction in your sentence. To qualify for the maximum level of reduction (one third), a defendant must plead at the first court hearing. Defendants who plead later will serve longer sentences than those who accept their guilt and plead at this early stage.
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.
Does guilty plea go on your record?
When you accept a plea bargain in California, you are pleading guilty to a charge. It may be a lesser charge, but you are pleading guilty, nonetheless. This results in a conviction, and a conviction can end up on your criminal record.
What happens after being found guilty?
After a defendant is found guilty at trial, or after a defendant pleads guilty (see section on entering and accepting a pleas), he must be sentenced. The court may sentence the offender right away or may decide to have a separate hearing, so that a pre-sentence report can be prepared.
Can a judge reject a guilty plea?
The judge has the authority to accept or reject a plea bargain. They will consider the nature of the charges and the defendant's criminal history, if any, as well as the circumstances surrounding the case.
Does pleading guilty mean you are convicted?
For that reason, pleading guilty always results in a conviction — you waive your right to fight for the complete dismissal of the charges against you or for an acquittal (finding of not-guilty) in a trial. After you plead guilty, you will be sentenced.
Why do people avoid going to court?
Many people dread the idea of litigation, and rightfully so. From filing a complaint to going to trial and potentially needing to appeal, the process may take months or even years. It can be messy and downright stressful. In many cases, it may be more strategic and financially sound to avoid litigation entirely.
Why would a guilty person go to trial?
You Could Defeat the Most Serious Charges Against You
The defendant cannot plead guilty because they would be over-punished for what they really did. A trial may be necessary to fight some of the more serious charges. If not, the defendant might be facing a much longer jail sentence than necessary.
Why do so many people plead guilty?
That's because people are far more likely to plead guilty, often in exchange for a reduced sentence, rather than risk a guilty verdict at trial that would come with a more severe punishment, says UMass Lowell Prof. Miko Wilford, who studies how and why people plead guilty – even when they are innocent.
Can I sue after being found not guilty?
If you are accused of a crime and acquitted or otherwise found not guilty of the offense, you can still face a civil lawsuit for the same incident. The Double Jeopardy clause only protects you from subsequent criminal prosecution in the legal system.
How long do you have to accept a plea deal?
Most plea offers come with an established expiration date, typically set within a few months of the offer's issuance. Once the original plea offer expires, the prosecutor can choose to either extend the same offer or present a new plea deal with potentially less favorable terms.
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.
Is going to trial a bad thing?
One benefit of going to trial is the possibility of achieving a better outcome than what is offered in a plea deal, perhaps even a not-guilty verdict. However, when the evidence against you is substantial or the potential penalties are severe, accepting a plea deal can result in reduced charges or a lighter sentence.
How often do people plead guilty?
Read more. 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 a case be dismissed after pleading guilty?
Sometimes the judge will dismiss the charges if the defendant withdraws their plea based on new evidence of their innocence. A judge is more likely to accept a guilty plea withdrawal in the earlier stages of a case or soon after the plea was made.
Do you go to trial if you plead guilty?
Giving Up Your Right to Trial: By pleading guilty, you waive your right to a trial, where you might have had a chance to prove your innocence or reduce the charges. You will also lose the opportunity to challenge the evidence against you.
Do most cases end in a plea of guilty?
We have to make sure we get it right." Plea bargaining has become the most common way to resolve criminal cases, with roughly 98% of criminal cases in the federal courts ending with a plea bargain, according to the American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section's 2023 report.