If a co-defendent takes a plea, does the other defendent have to as well or can they still go to trial?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If a co-defendent takes a plea, does the other defendent have to as well or can they still go to trial?
Asked on July 31, 2012 under Criminal Law, Arizona
Answers:
Anthony Van Johnson / VANJOHNSON LAW FIRM, L.L.C.
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Each Defendant in a criminal matter stands on his/her own, regardless of what the other Defendant(s) decide to do to resolve the charges. Each Defendant has certain Constitutional rights, among which, is a right to a trial by jury and a right to confront his/her accusers. Accordingly, if a co-defendant enters a guilty plea (or any other plea), each Defendant has a right to a trial in front of a judge or jury.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.