Plea Talks With John Edwards May Involve Jail Time
CNN reports that plea negotiations with the former Senator John Edwards may have fallen apart due to the fact that prosecutors want him to serve some jail time for allegedly using campaign donations to cover up his affair with a videographer who worked on his 2008 presidential campaign. The former senator is alleged to have broken campaign finance laws which amount to a felony.
Apparently prosecutors offered Mr. Edwards a plea to some misdemeanors in exchange for leniency. Nevertheless, the former senator has stuck to his guns and stated that he did not break the law and “did not know he was breaking the law”. Unfortunately for Mr. Edwards, his ignorance of his alleged violation of the law may not be enough to save him. In general, ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking it. I am afraid the former senator may have to make a deal with prosecutors if he wants to avoid a conviction for felony charges and minimize his jail time unless of course he is confident the prosecutors have no case. In a financial crime like this there is probably some credible evidence in the way of bank records which the prosecutors will rely on. If there is hard evidence showing a violation, it may be in Mr. Edwards best interests to get a plea deal.
Continue reading "Plea Talks With John Edwards May Involve Jail Time" »
Michael A. Atter
Former Prosecutor
Keith L. Maynard
Former Assistant Public Defender
Have a comment or question for us? Wood, Atter & Wolf is on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn:
Representing clients in Jacksonville, Orange Park, Fernandina Beach and the rest of North Florida for over 50 years. When you are faced with criminal charges or potential criminal charges, we are At Your Side - On Your Side.
Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A. - Florida Criminal Defense Lawyers - On Your Side - At Your Side