Pleas

Under our American system of justice, all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Your decision concerning which plea you enter is very important. Below are explanations of all three types of pleas.

A plea of guilty means that you admit that you committed the offense charged against you and accept the court’s punishment. Your options are:

• Pay the Fine.
• If eligible, request to take a drivers safety course.
• If eligible, request deferred disposition.

A plea of nolo contendere means that you do not contest the state’s charge against you. The court can find you guilty and assess punishment. Your options are:

• Pay the Fine.
• If eligible, request to take a drivers safety course.
• If eligible, request deferred disposition.

A plea of not guilty means that you deny guilt and the State must prove the charge that is filed against you. If you plead not guilty, you will need to decide whether to hire an attorney to represent you. If you choose to represent yourself, you are held to the same standards of the prosecutor.