What do you need to know about pleading guilty to a felony?

If you are facing criminal charges and need the help of a skilled criminal defense lawyer who will fight to protect your rights and freedoms, call Michael McKneely at (559) 443-7442 today. Before you plead guilty to a felony, there are few things you need to know, including:

Do you have the right to plead guilty?

When you are facing criminal charges, both you and the prosecutor and have part in deciding whether your case goes to trial or not. While prosecutors stand in the way of a plea bargain, you always have the right to plead guilty or to fight for your exoneration at trial.

What happens if you are convicted of a felony in California?

Once you are convicted of a felony in California, you are no longer able to own a firearm. This is a lifetime ban unless you are able to have your right to own firearms restored through a drawn-out, complicated legal process in the future. You may not be able to travel to certain countries.

What makes a wobbler a misdemeanor in Indiana?

A “wobbler” is a crime that the prosecution can choose to charge as either a felony or a misdemeanor, such as burglary or assault with a deadly weapon. In Indiana, the charge must have been a “Class D” felony and not been related to a violent or sexual crime. Meet other requirements.

Do you have to plead not guilty in court?

Plead not guilty. Your first court appearance is usually the arraignment, at which you will be asked to enter a plea. By entering a “not guilty” plea, you require the prosecution to prove your guilt in court.

What’s the punishment for a Class 2 felony in Illinois?

Class 2 Felony. In Illinois, conviction for a class 2 felony can result in a prison term of three to seven years, or seven to 14 years for an extended term. (730 Ill. Comp.

Who was the first person to plead guilty to a felony?

Powell is the first to plead guilty to felony charges. In his guilty plea, Powell admitted to breaking windows and throwing a brick, large rock, or piece of concrete at uniformed law enforcement officers. He admitted being part of a group of rioters who moved approximately 16 blocks over a period of more than 30 minutes.

What happens to the defendant during an arraignment?

During an Arraignment, the accused, now called the defendant, is read the charges against him or her and advised of his or her rights. The defendant also enters a plea of guilty or not guilty.

What happens if you plead guilty in a criminal case?

If a criminal defendant decides to plead guilty, he or she may not have as much time to wait for sentencing. The case may move through the judicial system more quickly. However, this may not be best for some individuals who may need more time to get their affairs in order. Sentencing can mean years in prison.

Can a criminal defendant enter a plea bargain?

While many prosecutors may attempt to enter into a plea bargain with a criminal defendant in which the defendant is convicted under a less serious offense or receives a reduced sentence, some prosecutors may not make these agreements with criminal defendants that they believe will simply plead guilty.

Can a criminal defendant appeal a guilty plea?

Even if the criminal defendant is found guilty of the crime, an appeal can make the process even longer. If the criminal defendant has hired a private attorney, he or she can likely save a substantial amount of money in attorney fees by taking a plea.