Danny Savalos

Yeah, you know, we've all sort of grown up with the idea of plea bargaining, but this is not something that courts are required to accept. And the federal rules, for example, expressly disfavor the idea of an Alford plea. Many judges, many courts, many states will not allow them. They are controversial judges.

Yeah, you know, we've all sort of grown up with the idea of plea bargaining, but this is not something that courts are required to accept. And the federal rules, for example, expressly disfavor the idea of an Alford plea. Many judges, many courts, many states will not allow them. They are controversial judges.

Because for people like victims' families who come to court, they want to see someone take accountability for their actions. It's understandable that they're frustrated because the person is not taking responsibility, even though they may be, at least on paper, pleading guilty.

Because for people like victims' families who come to court, they want to see someone take accountability for their actions. It's understandable that they're frustrated because the person is not taking responsibility, even though they may be, at least on paper, pleading guilty.

It's one of the most terrifying things for me. And I'm the attorney. I don't even have to make the choice. I have to deliver those options to a client, go to trial where the evidence is very strong, spend a lot of money. And then at the end, you roll the dice. And if you're convicted, you will get a much worse sentence than if you plead guilty and enter into a plea bargain.

It's one of the most terrifying things for me. And I'm the attorney. I don't even have to make the choice. I have to deliver those options to a client, go to trial where the evidence is very strong, spend a lot of money. And then at the end, you roll the dice. And if you're convicted, you will get a much worse sentence than if you plead guilty and enter into a plea bargain.

Absolutely.

Absolutely.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Many judges, many courts, many states will not allow Alford pleas. They are controversial.

Many judges, many courts, many states will not allow Alford pleas. They are controversial.

Many judges, many courts, many states will not allow Alford pleas. They are controversial.

Hi, Andrea.

Hi, Andrea.

Hi, Andrea.

Yes, and there are actually some other pleas that are much more rare, and those are the Alford plea and the no contest or no lo contendere plea. So what is the difference between the two? In a no contest plea, you're basically not pleading guilty. You're not pleading anything, and you're sort of going limp and allowing the government or the court to find you guilty.

Yes, and there are actually some other pleas that are much more rare, and those are the Alford plea and the no contest or no lo contendere plea. So what is the difference between the two? In a no contest plea, you're basically not pleading guilty. You're not pleading anything, and you're sort of going limp and allowing the government or the court to find you guilty.

Yes, and there are actually some other pleas that are much more rare, and those are the Alford plea and the no contest or no lo contendere plea. So what is the difference between the two? In a no contest plea, you're basically not pleading guilty. You're not pleading anything, and you're sort of going limp and allowing the government or the court to find you guilty.

In an Alford plea, the defendant is pleading guilty, but but maintaining their innocence. And they enter an Alford plea because they believe in their heart of hearts they're innocent, but the evidence is just so overwhelming.