Criminal Lawyers Melbourne
Why would I plead guilty?
If the State has an overwhelming case against you, it may be in your best interests to consider a plea of guilty. The main advantage to this is that sentencing law requires a reduction in the sentence imposed following a plea of guilty, compared to the sentence that would otherwise be imposed if you had pleaded not guilty to the charge, but the charge was found proven. If you do decide to plead guilty, our job is to prepare and enter a plea in mitigation of penalty on your behalf, drawing attention to all factors relevant to sentence, and ensuring the most lenient penalty in the circumstances of your case.
There is also certainty and finality in this course. The matter will be heard at court more quickly, which means fewer court appearances and therefore lower costs of legal representation.
A final advantage to pleading guilty is that the matter often then proceeds with a summary read to the court, instead of all witnesses attending for examination and cross-examination.
The main disadvantage to pleading guilty is the lost opportunity to exercise your rights to plead not guilty.
