My court date is in two weeks for a P.I. in Indiana. My friend told me that I should plead not guilty even though I am guilty so I can have a lawyer after my hearing.

Should I? If I plead guilty at the hearing does that mean I get my sentence right then and there? What should I do.

Your friend is correct. If you want an attorney you need to plead not guilty. When you do plead guilty that's it. Most of the time the judge will set a separate court date for sentencing, but they don't give you a chance to explain or if by chance the evidence was illegally obtained you don't get to talk about that either.

You should have an attorney now before any hearing to give you advice on what to plead. But yes if you have not talked to an attorney yet, first don't confess to the police, don't make a single statement without an attorney. And plead not guilty, after that your attorney can always work out a plea agreement if you had not already messed things up by saying too much.

Hello p:

Don't plead either. When you get in front of a judge, tell him you want a lawyer BEFORE you decide.

excon