IfI commited a crime but someone else was convicted of it,if Iconfess what could happen to me?

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IfI commited a crime but someone else was convicted of it,if Iconfess what could happen to me?

My wife was convicted. The charge was utility theft. I reconnected electric after disconnection for overdue bill.

Asked on August 24, 2010 under Criminal Law, Virginia

Answers:

M.S., Member, Connecticut Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 13 years ago | Contributor

The general rule is that anytime you confess to any crime, you expose yourself to criminal liability.  You may be arrested, prosecuted, and convicted for the crime that you confess to, and perhaps other crimes -- such as giving a false statement to police, if your new confession happens to contradict a prior statement that you gave, for example.  Moreover, your late confession may not help your wife at this point in time.  Had you confessed before she had been convicted, there is a chance that the state would have dismissed the charges.  However, now that she has been convicted it is a much more complicated matter that would involve tricky legal process that --given the likely relatively short sentence (if any) associates with this type of crime -- might not make sense pursuing.  In any event, I suggest that you consult with a local criminal defense attorney to discuss this matter in greater detail and evaluate your options (and their consequences) more completely.


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