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Bonus Post: “I Already Pled Guilty — Can I Undo It?”

Posted by Aaron D. Lawrence | Mar 02, 2025 | 0 Comments

Yes, But Only If You Move Fast


😓 “I Pled Guilty… But Now I Think I Made a Mistake.”

Maybe you didn't have a lawyer.
Maybe you felt pressured.
Maybe you thought it was “no big deal.”
Maybe no one explained what a conviction would really mean.

Now you're stuck with a criminal record, fines, court costs, probation—or worse. And you're wondering:

“Can I take my guilty plea back?”

At Lawrence Law Firm, we get this call all the time from people in Ruston and throughout North Louisiana, and the answer is:

Sometimes, yes — but you have to act quickly.

Let's break it down.


⚖️ Can You Legally Withdraw a Guilty Plea in Louisiana?

Yes. Louisiana law allows defendants to withdraw a guilty plea, but only under certain circumstances — and usually before sentencing.

After sentencing, the chances get lower — but not impossible.


🕒 When Can You Withdraw a Guilty Plea?

Stage Can You Withdraw? Explanation

Before sentencing

✅ Yes (strongest chance)

You can argue the plea wasn't voluntary, informed, or constitutional.

Shortly after sentencing

⚠️ Maybe (time-sensitive)

Your lawyer must file a motion to reconsider or appeal quickly.

Long after sentencing

❌ Unlikely (but not impossible)

You may still be able to seek post-conviction relief if rights were violated.


🛑 Valid Reasons to Reverse a Guilty Plea

  • You weren't told about possible immigration or licensing consequences

  • The judge didn't follow the proper Boykin requirements (right to jury, confrontation, silence)

  • You didn't fully understand the plea

  • You felt pressured or coerced

  • You had ineffective legal representation

  • You were factually innocent

⚠️ “I changed my mind” is not enough. You must show legal grounds to withdraw your plea.


📉 Why Time Is Critical

Courts generally don't like undoing guilty pleas. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes.

That's why we always say: If you regret a guilty plea, call us immediately. Every day matters.


🛡️ How Lawrence Law Firm Can Help

We start by:

  • Reviewing the court transcript

  • Evaluating the legality and fairness of the plea

  • Determining if the court or your lawyer made critical errors

  • Filing a motion to withdraw the plea or request post-conviction relief

Even if we can't reverse the plea, we may be able to help with expungement, sentence reduction, or probation modifications.


📞 One Call Can Change the Course of Your Case

📞 Call 318.232.4000 now to speak with a criminal defense attorney in Ruston, Louisiana
🖥️ Or schedule a confidential consultation online

You may not get many second chances — let's make this one count.


The Common Mistake Series: Complete

You've now equipped your readers with the top 5 mistakes to avoid — and what to do if they've already made one.

The blog published by Lawrence Law Firm is available for informational purposes only and is not considered legal advice on any subject matter. By viewing blog posts, the reader understands there is no attorney-client relationship between the reader and the blog publisher. Artificial Intelligence has been used to assist in formatting, topic selection, and organization, and while this information has been reviewed an attorney, this article should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney, and readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel on any specific legal questions concerning a specific situation.

About the Author

Aaron D. Lawrence

Aaron is a Criminal Defense and Personal Injury Attorney in Ruston, Louisiana. He received his Juris Doctor and Graduate Diploma in Comparative Law from the Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center. He received his Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from the University of North Tex...

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