2. Prepare for discussions about your sentence

By entering a guilty plea you’re:

• giving up your right to a trial
• not asking the Crown to prove the charges against you beyond a reasonable doubt
• saving the court time and money
• showing remorse

Mention these points and use them to negotiate the best deal possible for yourself.

Also bring documents that show things you’ve done to address your behaviour such as:

• counselling or therapy you have participated in
• restitution payments you have made
• community service hours you have completed

Make sure the plea bargain you agree to shows that the Crown considered these mitigating factors in your case. These are factors that could result in a lighter sentence.