At Lotze Mosley, LLP Washington D.C. and Maryland criminal defense attorneys work tirelessly to protect our clients’ rights, so they can make informed decisions about the directions of their cases.
The benefits of partnering with a skilled criminal defense attorney include understanding your legal rights and options, so you have the protection you need to pursue the best outcome.
Before you consider pleading guilty to a crime, you must understand what is at stake.
Here is what our Maryland and Washington D.C. residents need to know.
You Have the Right To An Attorney
Just because the prosecutor’s office or law enforcement officers tell you that pleading guilty to a crime is your best option, you still have the Constitutional right to legal counsel.
When a person is charged with a crime, he or she should never be expected to defend themselves or know their legal rights. This is a criminal defense attorney’s job.
If you cannot afford an attorney, the court must appoint one to your case.
Never plead guilty to a crime or accept a deal from the prosecutor’s office before talking with an experienced defense attorney about your case and complete legal options.
It Is Incredibly Difficult to Reverse a Guilty Plea
There is no absolute right afforded to criminal defendants if they change their minds after pleading guilty to a crime.
Withdrawing a guilty plea is difficult, and the prosecutor will likely fight it, which may lead to you being left with the consequences of the decision.
Your Guilty Plea Will Be Public Record
If you plead guilty to a crime and are convicted and sentenced, it will be part of your permanent and public criminal record.
That means, no matter what the crime was or how insignificant you thought the case was when someone runs a background check on you, including potential employers, property owners, or banks, they will find you were convicted of a crime.
You Significantly Limit Your Legal Options Going Forward
Pleading guilty to a crime considerably limits your options going forward.
Once the judge accepts the plea, enters the conviction, and then sentences you, that is it.
What is more, the judge could sentence you to the maximum sentence available under the law. Are you prepared to take that chance without knowing the extent of the penalties first?
Know All Your Legal Rights Before You Plead Guilty to a Crime
When our clients know their complete legal rights and options, they better understand the range of defense strategies that are available for their unique cases.
Contact our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Washington D.C. and Maryland at Lotze Mosley, LLP to determine the best course of action for your unique case by calling 202-393-0535 today.
