How do I file for divorce in Berks County PA?
How do I file for divorce in Berks County PA?
Method of Filing: Custody and Divorce documents can be filed by mail or in person at the Prothonotary’s Office. Lawyers can also electronically file those documents. Self-represented litigants may be permitted or required to electronically file those documents in the future.
Do judges usually accept plea bargains?
They can accept the plea agreement as it is, or they can reject it outright. If a judge rejects a plea agreement, they usually must state a justification on the record. In other cases, a judge may accept only certain terms of the agreement, while rejecting other terms, such as the proposed sentence.
Is there a difference between acquittal and not guilty?
A verdict of not guilty constitutes an acquittal. In other words, to find a defendant not guilty is to acquit. At trial, an acquittal occurs when the jury (or the judge if it’s a judge trial) determines that the prosecution hasn’t proved the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. (But see Jury Nullification.)
Is a guilty plea an admission of guilt?
A plea of guilty in a criminal case consists of three elements. 4 Third, it is an admission of actual guilt. 5 A recent Supreme Court decision, North Carolina v. Alford,6 has highlighted the first two elements of the plea, but has cast some doubt on the continued validity of the plea as an admission of guilt.
How do you overturn a guilty plea?
If you felt compelled to plead guilty to a crime that you did not commit or that you entered an invalid guilty plea, you may still have options. California law gives you the option of withdrawing your guilty plea, appealing your conviction, pursuing a writ of habeas corpus, or petitioning the CDCR for a resentencing …
What happens if you don’t plead guilty?
If the defendant refuses to enter a plea—or to even speak—then the judge will typically enter a not guilty plea on his or her behalf. Someone who persistently refuses to plead may very well end up in trial, because a plea bargain is obviously out of the question.
What is it called when you don’t plead guilty or not guilty?
An Alford plea (also called a Kennedy plea in West Virginia, an Alford guilty plea and the Alford doctrine), in United States law, is a guilty plea in criminal court, whereby a defendant in a criminal case does not admit to the criminal act and asserts innocence.
Do I need a solicitor if pleading guilty?
A solicitor is required to explain that if you plead guilty at the earliest opportunity, any punishment will be reduced by up to a third. If you plead guilty at a late stage of the case, for example on the day of a trial, the reduction can be reduced to 10%. This is known as credit for a guilty plea.
Is it better to plead guilty or not guilty for a speeding ticket?
By pleading not guilty, you will avail yourself of the opportunity to receive a negotiation concerning the issued charge. Therefore, in most instances, it is recommended that you plead not guilty upon receiving a traffic citation. Speeding cases are fairly technical in nature.
Do cops usually show up to court?
While officers will often show up for court because it is an overtime opportunity, trial by mail is pure paperwork, and they will often not bother to submit their side of the story.
Is it worth going to court for a speeding ticket?
Even if you know you’ll be found guilty, going to court may be a better option than paying the ticket. Chances are, you’ll find that you still must pay court costs and fees for the course, making the process almost as, if not more, expensive than simply paying the ticket without going to court.
