Should You Just Plead Guilty

In legal terms, a plea is an answer to a claim made by someone in a civil or criminal case.  It has come to mean the statement made by a criminal defendant at arraignment or otherwise an answer

to a criminal charge, whether that individual pleaded Guilty, Not Guilty, No Contest or Alford plea.

Defendants in court can be convicted one of two ways: by pleading guilty or after a trial.

In the criminal justice system, people who choose to admit their guilt are often “rewarded” with lesser sentences.

Those individuals who choose to take advantage of their Constitutional right to trials can be “penalized” with harsher sentences.

Often times this difficult decision pushes a person between a rock and hard place.

Pleading Not Guilty in South Carolina

However, getting arrested in South Carolina does not mean that you are guilty or that you do not have any rights.  If you are arrested, you have the right to plead not guilty and ask for a jury trial.

A guilty plea can have lasting consequences beyond a fine or prison sentence including the loss of your right to carry a firearm, custody or visitation with your children, lifetime registration on the sex offender registry as well as professional consequences that can wreck your livelihood and end your career.

The Strom Law Firm encourages all individuals who receive a traffic citations or warrant for what seems to be minor traffic or criminal offenses to seek a free consultation with an attorney before giving up valuable rights such as the right to contest the charge by jury trial or otherwise. The criminal defense lawyers with Strom Law Firm provide afree consultation for these matters and have the experience you need to protect your rights and guide you through the legal process.  Contact us today to discuss how we can help. 803.252.4800