Can I Plead Guilty in Minnesota Without Admitting Guilt?
Why would anybody plead guilty in Minnesota for something they did not do? It is an age old question. And yet, believe it or not, there are many reasons why this may happen. One might simply be a practical balancing question between the potential exposure from a jury trial conviction versus a possible agreement you might make by pleading guilty. However, what happens if you want to take advantage of this plea agreement but can’t honestly admit to guilty? Generally, you simply cannot plead guilty to a crime that you didn’t commit. However, there are a couple of circumstances where this might happen. One is called an Alford plea. An Alford plea is a rarely used plea where the accused actually pleads guilty but doesn’t admit to guilt. If you are thinking about this as an option, you should sit down and talk about this with an experienced Minnesota criminal defense attorney.
“Pleading guilty using an Alford plea is still a plea and it is still a conviction but for some people, it is the admission that matters most.”
While an Alford plea is not always available, under the right circumstances, it might be an option. One of the challenges is that your defense attorney would have to convince both the prosecutor and the Court to agree before an Alford plea is accepted. However, there is a series of questions that must be answered on the record before it could be accepted. They usually go something like this:
1. Have you read the police reports, complaint, and the rest of the other evidence in your case?
2. Do you understand that at trial the State would present evidence and witnesses to establish that you committed this offense? (This would include specific facts the State would introduce.)
3. Do you believe the evidence the State would present is sufficient for a Court or jury to find you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt?
4. Are you entering you plea in order to take advantage of a plea bargain offered by the government?
Imagine standing in a Minnesota courtroom with the black robed judge looking down at you from the bench while a prosecutor points at you and talks about the crime you allegedly committed while several deputies in the room stand around with guns to “keep the peace.” The amount of pressure placed on you can feel enormous. And yet, every case is different and every person charged with a crime has different motivations for the decisions they make. Maybe, it is simply the admission that you can’t make. That being said, it is critical to remember that an Alford plea is still a plea. You will be found guilty of the crime that you plead to even though you maintain innocence. However, for some, that is enough.
The criminal justice system in Minnesota can be complicated. It is also technical which means that if you are trying to make something happen, it has to be done correctly. This is true regarding Alford pleas. These can be useful for people charged with crimes but it is sometimes also something that the prosecution and Court are willing to offer under the right circumstances.
“Remember, an Alford plea is still a plea. You will be found guilty of the crime that you plead to even though you maintain innocence.”
If you are facing serious criminal charges, sit down with an experienced criminal defense attorney to discuss your case. If after reviewing all of the evidence, it is possible that an Alford plea is something to consider.
Jack Rice is the Founder of Jack Rice Defense, a boutique criminal defense firm based in St. Paul, MN. Jack is also a former prosecutor, a former U.S. Federal Agent, and a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist. Contact Jack Rice Defense for a free confidential consultation or call 651-447-7650 or 612-227-1339.