Difference between revisions of "Pleading Guilty to a Criminal Charge"
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No one likes going to court. Some people are terrified at the thought of it. And if charged, they plan to go in, plead guilty, and get out as fast as possible. That's a normal reaction. But it may also be a big mistake, because a conviction can seriously affect the rest of your life. This script explains what to do before pleading guilty and what happens if you plead guilty. You should also check the following scripts: | No one likes going to court. Some people are terrified at the thought of it. And if charged, they plan to go in, plead guilty, and get out as fast as possible. That's a normal reaction. But it may also be a big mistake, because a conviction can seriously affect the rest of your life. This script explains what to do before pleading guilty and what happens if you plead guilty. You should also check the following scripts: | ||
*203, called “Conditional Sentences, Probation and Discharges” | *[[Conditional Sentences, Probation and Discharges (Script 203)|203]], called “Conditional Sentences, Probation and Discharges” | ||
*205, called “Criminal Records and Applying for a Record Suspension” | *[[Criminal Records and Applying for a Record Suspension (Script 205)|205]], called “Criminal Records and Applying for a Record Suspension” | ||
*210, called “If You Receive an Appearance Notice or Summons” | *[[If You Receive an Appearance Notice or Summons (Script 210)|210]], called “If You Receive an Appearance Notice or Summons” | ||
*211, called “Defending Yourself Against a Criminal Charge” | *[[Defending Yourself Against a Criminal Charge (Script 211)|211]], called “Defending Yourself Against a Criminal Charge” | ||
The script does not apply to anyone under 18 years old. People under 18 are automatically entitled to a lawyer at no cost. And they need a parent or guardian to be with them in court at their first court appearance. For information about young people and criminal law, check scripts 225, called “Young People and Criminal Law” and 226, called “Youth Justice Court | The script does not apply to anyone under 18 years old. People under 18 are automatically entitled to a lawyer at no cost. And they need a parent or guardian to be with them in court at their first court appearance. For information about young people and criminal law, check scripts [[Young People and Criminal Law (Script 225)|225]], called “Young People and Criminal Law” and [[Youth Justice Court Trials (Script 226)|226]], called “Youth Justice Court Trials”. | ||
==What should you do before deciding how to plead?== | ==What should you do before deciding how to plead?== | ||