~Does Having Charges Mean You Have Been Caught Doing Something Wrong?~
By Jennifer
@LovingMyBabies (85296)
Valdosta, Georgia
April 13, 2017 1:07pm CST
Some of you might think I'm an idiot now and that's okay because I have always felt the only "dumb" question is the one not asked.
So I don't know how all of it works which is why I'm asking. I thought if your "charged" with something it means you were caught doing something against the law. I thought that means you are already guilty.
Now I am thinking after another discussion of mine that I am totally wrong on this.
Can someone explain how it works? Do you know anyone that's been charged with something?
17 people like this
24 responses
@JolietJake (50190)
•
13 Apr 17
No, they only have to think you are guilty.
I have been arrested for things I did not do and got the charges dismissed in court.
7 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85296)
• Valdosta, Georgia
13 Apr 17
@Jolietjake Okay but are those on your record that you did them? That's where I'm confused.
3 people like this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
13 Apr 17
@LovingMyBabies No, it is on my record that I was innocent of the charge. It is there that I was arrested for them, but that is no condition of guilt.
4 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85296)
• Valdosta, Georgia
13 Apr 17
@JolietJake Okay thank you. That's what I didn't understand. =)
4 people like this
@celticeagle (176934)
• Boise, Idaho
13 Apr 17
I see that JJ has explained this pretty well. We, as Americans, are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. Charging is just that.
4 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85296)
• Valdosta, Georgia
14 Apr 17
@celticeagle Yes he did. =) Thank you for the help.
2 people like this
@andriaperry (118743)
• Anniston, Alabama
13 Apr 17
Being charged with a crime is at the point of being arrested because there is enough evidence to be charged and jailed.
BUT everyone is innocent until proven guilty, with the said evidence, in a court of law.
3 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85296)
• Valdosta, Georgia
14 Apr 17
@andriaperry Thank you! I am really glad I asked. I always thought the opposite.
@JolietJake (50190)
•
13 Apr 17
Response #2 - There would be no reason for trials if you were already guilty. Haven't you ever read about innocent people beating murder charges?
3 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85296)
• Valdosta, Georgia
13 Apr 17
@Jolietjake So if its on your record you still didn't do it?
4 people like this
@andriaperry (118743)
• Anniston, Alabama
13 Apr 17
@LovingMyBabies Jennifer, everything stays on record but what you have to see is was the person convicted and imprisoned by the courts. I think that is what you want to know. I think you can call the county clerks office and find out, especially if you are hiring them.
4 people like this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
13 Apr 17
@LovingMyBabies Only if you are convicted of the crime.
4 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
13 Apr 17
Yes, but unless you plead guilty, they have to prove it in court. You can usually plea it down to a lesser charge if you think they can.
3 people like this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
13 Apr 17
No Scott...many times people are charged with crimes they did not commit.
Being charged is no indication you were caught doing something wrong...it only means they think you did something wrong.
4 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
13 Apr 17
@JolietJake - I guess I should have said "usually," or "often." My bad.
4 people like this
@workathomefan (8957)
• Prairieville, Louisiana
14 Apr 17
Being charged with a crime does not always mean you are guilty.
3 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85296)
• Valdosta, Georgia
14 Apr 17
@workathomefan Thanks! I'm glad I know that now. I always thought it did mean your guilty.
@LovingMyBabies (85296)
• Valdosta, Georgia
14 Apr 17
@besweet Thanks! Yeah I am really glad I asked because I did learn something new.
@jstory07 (145068)
• Roseburg, Oregon
13 Apr 17
My one friend has three adult sons that are always in trouble with the law. Has she found out everything has far as the sentence depends on the mood of the judge for the day. A judge that is in a bad mood will threw the book at you and send you away. Or in a good mood will threw everything out of court. It all depends on the judge.
3 people like this
@Juliaacv (54105)
• Canada
14 Apr 17
I think that having charges means that you've been caught doing something wrong, but I could be mistaken. I know with traffic tickets, when I am charged, which used to happen often, I was in the wrong, and wasn't able to come up with a good enough excuse to get me off of the hook.
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85296)
• Valdosta, Georgia
14 Apr 17
@Juliaacv I thought so too but I found out through here that I was wrong. Charges means your being accused of doing something wrong but not that you have necessarily done it.
I am glad I asked and found out.
@workathomefan (8957)
• Prairieville, Louisiana
14 Apr 17
I really love the flower graphic attached to your mylot post.
3 people like this
@workathomefan (8957)
• Prairieville, Louisiana
14 Apr 17
Don't know anybody personally wrongfully convicted but have heard of cases on Unsolved Mysteries.
3 people like this
@LittleBard (121)
•
13 Apr 17
When you are charged with something, you still have the opportunity to prove yourself as innocent. If you are found guilty you are convicted of said offense.
3 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (49993)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
13 Apr 17
"Charged" means "accused" in this case. It doesn't equate with guilt.
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85296)
• Valdosta, Georgia
13 Apr 17
@Barbaraprz Thank you for your help! I was confused by it.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (192673)
• United States
14 Apr 17
Being charged means the police or powers think they have evidence a crime was committed,,you can go to court and have a trial whereupon your guilt or innocence will be decided by a judge or jury.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85296)
• Valdosta, Georgia
14 Apr 17
@snowy22315 Thank you for your help! I'm glad I asked here. =)
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85296)
• Valdosta, Georgia
14 Apr 17
@Ladyduck Thank you for your help. =)
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (478897)
• Italy
15 Apr 17
@Lupita234 We do not have public jurors here in Switzerland, only professional jurors, just because the normal people are too easy to be influenced.
@Courtlynn (67091)
• United States
14 Apr 17
The cops can arrest you and put charges on you for things, but you aren't TECHNICALLY guilty unless the courts say you are. Which is stupid. Because my ex abused me and my daughter and was charged with assault and battery on both of us and the courts let him have probation, and fees to pay because he plead. So technically he was guilty and showed it by pleaing so he wouldnt go to jail.
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85296)
• Valdosta, Georgia
14 Apr 17
@NJChicaa Thank you for your help! I'm glad I asked.
1 person likes this
@workathomefan (8957)
• Prairieville, Louisiana
14 Apr 17
I have never thought that you were an idiot or dumb.
2 people like this
