What is the punishment if I plead to armed robbery?
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Answer:
Guilty pleas are an admission of blameworthiness by a person accused of a crime. Sometimes guilty pleas are made as part of a plea bargain in which the prosecutor agrees to reduce the charges or the punishment in exchange for the guilty plea. A guilty plea saves the time and expense of a lengthy trial. Before accepting a plea of guilty the court address the defendant and inform him and make certain he understands the nature of the charge; the range of punishment for the offense; the right to be represented by an attorney, including the fact that defense counsel will be appointed if the defendant cannot afford a lawyer; the right to a jury trial, including the right to cross-examine witnesses and the right not to be compelled to incriminate oneself; he fact that all of these rights are given up (except having a lawyer present) if a plea of guilty is made. The court must also determine that the plea is not the result of force, threats or promises, other than a plea bargain agreement, and is, on the whole, a knowing, voluntary and intelligent act of the defendant. The lack of a voluntary and knowing plea may be the basis for a later plea withdrawal. Finally, the court must determine that there is a factual basis for the defendant's admission of guilt. The entire guilty plea proceeding must be conducted in open court and recorded by a court reporter.
Although the charge or punishment may be reduced in exchange for a guilty plea, a person will be considered guilty of the crime to which he or she pleads guilty, and must generally disclose that crime when asked for information relating to criminal offenses or convictions on an employment application.
I am prohibited from giving legal advice, as this service provides information of a general legal nature. The likelihood of being convicted at trial will depend on all the facts and circumstances involved. The credibility of witness testimony is a subjective determination in each case. While direct evidence of a crime is more likely to lead to a conviction, it is possible to be convicted based on circumstantial evidence. It is recommended to follow your lawyer's advice on submitting a plea to a criminal charge.
