Don't Plead Guilty!

Do I Plead or Do I Fight

If you plead Guiltyand are sentenced, you are CONVICTED! If you plead guilty to the charges, you are admitting that you committed the crime as contained in the criminal complaint. These admissions can be used against you in a subsequent criminal or civil matter. Pleading Guilty might seem the fastest and easiest way out of a bad situation but a criminal conviction can affect you for the rest of your life. When applying for a job or a loan, renting an apartment, traveling to another country, renewing a "green card," obtaining a professional license, or buying insurance, you will be judged and harmed by that one mistake. Don't Plead Guilty, even if you think you are guilty, without evaluating all your legal options. Even if you are guilty, it is still acceptable to plead Not Guilty and make the prosecutor prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. On the other hand, if you know you are guilty and the prosecutor can prove it then you have a decision to make: you can gamble your freedom and your future by going to trial, or negotiate the best settlement of your case, and avoid a trial. You should discuss your right to fight your case with an experienced criminal defense attorney. You should insist on reviewing the police reports and the evidence against you. You should also find out what the maximum sentence is on the charges filed against you. You should be aware of any collateral consequences that come with a guilty plea. When you are facing criminal charges, you need a criminal defense attorney with great skill and serious experience to evaluate your case and your legal options as well as give you honest answers to all your questions. Contact Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys Stephen G. Rodriguez & Partners for a free consultation.

Don't Plead Guilty

At first glance, pleading guilty seems easy and convenient. You may even think it is the cheapest way out. Don't be fooled by a "no jail time" offer by the prosecutor early in the case. That may not be the best deal for you. The truth is that the prosecutor or district attorney may want to close out the case quickly because the government's evidence is weak. Perhaps the prosecutor doesn't have the evidence or the witnesses necessary for a conviction. The prosecutor may be motivated to settle a case quickly to reduce his or her high caseload. There may be some legal technicalities or some rules not followed, procedural mistakes by law enforcement, or some other situation that a good defense lawyer could pick apart, and get the charges dismissed. But if you agree to a quick "Guilty" or "No Contest" plea, then you're stuck with that conviction for the rest of your life. Explore your defense options thoroughly.

The Right Criminal Defense Attorney Makes the Difference

The Criminal Defense Attorneys of Stephen G. Rodriguez & Partners have a vast amount of experience defending people accused of committing crimes, from simple misdemeanors to violent felonies. Unlike some criminal defense attorneys who simply negotiate pleas, we stand ready to take your case to trial in order to obtain the best possible outcome. You and your attorney should evaluate your entire case, including all the physical evidence the prosecutor would present at trial, potential witness testimony against you, and any statements you or the witness have previously given to police. You should discuss any potential defense witnesses who could testify on your behalf. After a thorough review of all the potential evidence, your attorney should let you know the likelihood of prevailing at trial. Speak to an experienced and skilled California criminal defense attorney you can trust; who can evaluate your case and give you honest answer to your questions. Remember, the police and the prosecutors are not your friends. They are not looking to do you any favors. Choosing the right criminal defense attorney can be one of the most important decisions of your life. Contact our office to discuss the facts of your case. For a free confidential consultation, call Stephen G. Rodriguez & Partners in our Los Angeles, California office.