Best Business Attorneys in Jacksonville, FL

Pros of Pleading Not Guilty It is generally a good idea to plead not guilty at arraignment. This is because pleading not guilty allows you to go through the discovery process, during which you and your lawyer can request evidence (i.e. Discovery) from the Government/State and prepare your defense. It also allows you to negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecution or to take your case to trial. By pleading NOT GUILTY: You maintain your innocence. You posture yourself for exoneration if you have a defense to the charges, such as an alibi, self-defense, conflicting eyewitness testimony, or other evidence that supports your innocence. You are holding the prosecution to their burden of proof-Beyond a Reasonable Doubt. A reasonable doubt can come from the evidence, a lack of evidence, a conflict in the evidence. You maintain the ability to negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecution. If you enter a plea of guilty, the sentence is left up to the Judge. It’s important to keep in mind that every case is different, and the specific defense strategy and arguments you make will depend on the facts and circumstances of your case. It’s always a good idea to consult with your lawyer before making any decisions about your defense. Below is the Florida Jury Instruction on Pleas of Not Guilty; Reasonable Doubt; and Burden of Proof. This instruction is read by the Judge to every jury before deliberations begin, and a copy of this instruction is sent with the jurors into the jury room to r...