When someone faces criminal charges in Minnesota, they typically enter a not-guilty plea in court. In some cases, however, it may make sense to change the plea pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement with prosecutors. There may be several reasons for this, one being that the accused may obtain a positive outcome by doing so, typically because the charges are reduced and/or the sentence may be lighter. In a Minnesota case that is pending in court right now, a man who is charged with theft of the ruby slippers Judy Garland wore in “The Wizard of Oz” is expected to plead guilty.
The man previously pled not guilty. He is accused of stealing the slippers from the Judy Garland Museum. However, the man now wishes to change his plea. If the Court hearing the case accepts the plea, the jury trial that was scheduled to begin this month will not take place.
A hearing is set for mid-October in Duluth
The man’s attorney cautioned that the proposed change of plea must be accepted by the judge before it is valid. He also said the elderly man is in failing health and that there have been misconceptions about his identity and things that have happened in this case. The hearing is set for Oct. 13.
Anyone who has been arrested in Minnesota will want to remember that pleading not guilty at the arraignment does not necessarily mean a plea agreement cannot be secured later which prompts a change to the initial plea. If someone is unsure what the best option is in a particular case, it is helpful to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney. Such an attorney can remain on hand to provide guidance and support throughout proceedings.
