March 25th, 2014 by Attorney Dan Carman
Many people believe that pleading “guilty” at a first appearance might make the prosecutor or the judge go easy on you or possibly reduce the charge?
But it is almost never a good idea to plead “guilty” at your initial court appearance in Kentucky (whether it be in State or Federal Court). At the time of your initial appearance, it is unlikely that you or an attorney – public or private – working for you has discovered all of the evidence against you or all of the defenses that you may have available to you.
Also, the judge and the prosecutor will not hold it against you if you plead “not guilty” at your first appearance. If you are charged with a crime, then you should immediately consult a local criminal defense attorney, who will best know how to handle your case and work toward the best possible outcome.
If you (or a loved one) have an upcoming initial court appearance in Kentucky or in the Lexington area in particular, call Attorney Dan Carman at (859) 685-1055 for a free consultation.
Attorney Dan Carman
Focusing on criminal matters, Mr. Carman is admitted to practice law in all Courts of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky, and the United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. He is a member of the American, Kentucky, and Fayette County Bar Associations. Mr. Carman also worked as a prosecutor, as well as a legal assistance attorney. Attorney Dan Carman can help you with any criminal defense matters you may need including; DUI, drug, and weapons charges, trespassing, traffic violations and more. [ Attorney Bio ]