- 1). Weigh the pros and cons for entering a guilty plea. Determine what will best fit your situation. If you plead guilty, you will be admitting to a crime. The attorney prosecuting the case against you will be required to explain to the judge the evidence against you. Decide if you are prepared to face a potential civil lawsuit in the future as this can occur if you have entered a guilty plea.
- 2). Consider the benefits and downfalls of a no contest plea. If you enter a plea of no contest, you are not confessing to the charges or denying the allegations against you. Decide if you want to avoid a potential civil charge in the future as filing no contest can prevent a civil lawsuit against you.
- 3). Speak with an attorney. If you have not already enlisted the services of an attorney, it is strongly recommended you do so. Explain your case and have the attorney review your file, then make a recommendation on which plea you should enter.
- 4). Appear before the court. If you choose to represent yourself, you may enter your plea at the next scheduled hearing on your case. If you are appearing for arraignment, the judge will ask for your plea at the beginning of proceedings once the prosecutor has announced charges. If you are in court for a pre-trial hearing and wish to change your not guilty plea, raise your hand and tell the judge you would like to enter a plea of guilty or no contest. If you have an attorney, he will enter the plea on your behalf.
- 5). Accept judge's decision. The judge presiding over the court will question you to determine if you have been coerced or promised anything in exchange for your plea. She will make sure you are mentally competent to enter the plea and understand the range of penalties you are facing. She will then decide if your plea is accepted.
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