What Does It Mean To Plead Guilty To A Crime? - JS Defense, PA

Criminal Defense What Does it Mean to Plead Guilty to a Crime?

7 months ago by Justin M. Schiks

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People commit crimes for a variety of reasons. While some are life-long offenders who hardly think twice about violating the law, many find themselves in trouble with the law under circumstances they regret or due to wrongful allegations. In either situation, you want the criminal defense law firm of JS Defense on your side.

What Does it Mean to Plead Not Guilty in Minnesota?

To plead not guilty in Minnesota means formally denying the criminal charge and invoking your constitutional right to defend yourself in court. By doing so, you assert your innocence and require the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This plea protects your right to a trial and initiates a legal process where your attorney can challenge evidence, assert defenses, and advocate for dismissal or reduced charges.

In Woodbury and throughout the state, this is often the first step in building a strategic legal defense. It prevents automatic conviction and ensures your case is heard before either a judge or a jury. The phrase “plead not guilty meaning” refers not just to a denial, but to the exercise of legal protections essential for due process.

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The Criminal Law Process

When the police have probable cause to believe someone has committed a crime, they will usually arrest them and arraign them in court. Arraigning in court simply means the police will bring the arrested individual to court to have the charges against them read in court by the judge.

At this point, the arrested person is now referred to as the “defendant.” Once the judge reads the charges, the defendant will have an option to admit the charges or to deny them. They can also admit to some of the charges and deny some of them.

Once the arraignment is over, and if the defendant pleads not guilty, the defendant will either be remanded to custody pending trial, or a judge can set a bond which the defendant can pay to get released.

Whether the defendant is released or detained on bond pending trial, the case will go to trial, which may be weeks or months away, and in between, there may be several pre-trial hearings where various legal issues are argued and decided by the presiding judge.

Some defendants opt to plead guilty instead of having the case go to trial. Pleading guilty means the defendant admits to everything they are being charged with.

Denying the Charges

A not guilty plea is a formal statement that the defendant does not admit to the offense alleged by the state. It challenges the accusation and activates legal proceedings where the government must prove every element of the crime with admissible evidence.

Presumption of Innocence: Under U.S. and Minnesota law, defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This protection ensures fairness and shields individuals from unjust punishment.

Right to Trial: Declaring “not guilty” initiates a trial, either before a judge or jury. During the trial, the prosecution presents evidence, and the defense has the opportunity to respond and raise objections. Understanding the plead not guilty meaning is essential to recognizing the full scope of a defendant’s rights.

Burden of Proof: The government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt—the highest legal standard. If it fails to do so, the court must find the defendant not guilty. This safeguard is vital in preventing wrongful convictions.

Legal Representation

The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel in criminal cases. In Minnesota, any defendant who pleads not guilty is entitled to an attorney. If they cannot afford one, the court may appoint a public defender based on financial need. Requests are made via affidavit, as outlined in Minn. Stat. § 611.17. A defense attorney may:

• Investigate the evidence
• Advise on available defenses
• File suppression or dismissal motions
• Negotiate plea agreements

Omnibus Hearing

After a not guilty plea, your case proceeds to an Omnibus Hearing under Minnesota Rule of Criminal Procedure 11. This hearing evaluates whether:

• The police had legal grounds for the arrest
• Evidence was lawfully obtained
• There are constitutional or procedural violations

Possible outcomes of the hearing include:

• Evidence suppression
• Dismissal of charges
• Scheduling of the trial if the case proceeds

This stage is key in shaping the legal path forward and may determine whether the case is trial-bound or resolved beforehand.

Changes in Plea

Although you may initially plead not guilty, you can change your plea to guilty or no contest before trial, with court approval. This often happens when:

• New evidence is introduced
• A plea agreement is reached
• The defendant opts to avoid the risk of trial

Judges will only accept a plea change after ensuring it is made voluntarily, knowingly, and with a full understanding of the rights being waived. In Minnesota, any plea change must be entered on the record and follow judicial guidelines to ensure fairness.

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Pros of Pleading Guilty

If the defendant does not wait to have their case heard at a trial, which may take a year or more, they may opt to have the case resolved more quickly, and the quickest way to do so is by having their lawyer negotiate for the best possible plea they can obtain given the facts in their case.

Another benefit of pleading guilty is the defendant might spend less for a criminal defense lawyer if the case does not have to be taken to trial. If the facts of the case are such that there is a strong likelihood that the defendant will be found guilty at trial, taking a plea offered is wiser and will save the defendant the money they would have to spend to pay their lawyer to take a case to trial they are likely to lose.

Pleading guilty also means the lawyer can negotiate with the government to get the best possible terms for the defendant not to do time or to do the absolute minimum time the lawyer can have the government agree to, which is not possible if the case goes to trial and the defendant is convicted.

Speak with a Woodbury, MN Criminal Defense Attorney

While some people benefit from plea agreements, others have circumstances in which pleading guilty is detrimental to their future. Never plead guilty without first speaking with a criminal defense firm like JS Defense. If you have been charged with a crime, contact us for a free consultation.

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